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Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover has signed a letter of intent with the government of the Slovak Republic for setting up a manufacturing plant in the city of Nitra in western Slovakia.
A feasibility study is underway with the Slovakian Government which will explore plans for a factory with an installed capacity of up to 300,000 vehicles over the next decade. The plant would manufacture a range of aluminium-based vehicles starting 2018.
Following robust analysis of a number of locations including Europe, the United States and Mexico, Jaguar Land Rover has selected Slovakia as its preferred location. It is close to a strong supply chain and good logistics infrastructure. Subject to the outcome of the feasibility study, a final decision is expected later this year, a statement from the two luxury brands said.
Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, Jaguar Land Rover, said,"The expansion of our business globally is essential to support its long-term, resilient growth. As well as creating additional capacity, it allows us to invest in the development of more new vehicles and technologies, which supports jobs in the UK. With its established premium automotive industry, Slovakia is an attractive potential development opportunity for us."
This will be JLR's fourth manufacturing destination globally. Apart from three production plants in the UK and two assembly plants in China and India its third plant in coming up in Brazil.
