Jaguar Land Rover plans new factory in Slovakia

Jaguar Land Rover confirmed today that it has signed a Letter of Intent with the Government of the Slovak Republic for the potential development of a new manufacturing plant in the city of Nitra in western Slovakia. 

The result is that vehicles produced by the iconic British brand, including the next generation Land Rover Defender, could be built in Eastern Europe.

The move also “marks the next step in the Company’s strategy to become a more competitive global business by expanding its manufacturing operations into new international locations in the future”, a statement revealed.

Dr 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. The new factory will complement our existing facilities in the UK, China, India and the one under construction in Brazil.”

Over the past five years, Jaguar Land Rover has employed more than 20,000 people in the UK — taking its workforce to more than 36,000 — and invested more than £11 billion in new product creation and capital expenditure.

During this time, the Company has invested heavily in its UK vehicle manufacturing facilities at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull to support the introduction all-new vehicles such as the Jaguar XE, Jaguar F-PACE, Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport. 

Jaguar Land Rover has also invested more than £500 million in a new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the UK, creating 1,400 new jobs in the Midlands. 

In addition, it plans to expand its advanced engineering and design centre at Whitley, Coventry and invest in the National Automotive Innovation Centre at the University of Warwick.