Jaguar & Land Rover, the British subsidiary of the Indian auto giant Tata Motors, has commenced a feasibility study in the Indian market to manufacture it vehicles in the country. The company’s plans of manufacturing a number of its portfolio cars in the Indian market is part of its future strategy of boosting its presence in the emerging markets like India and China. In China, the company had recently entered into a tie-up with the leading auto maker Chery Automobile.
The feasibility study is expected to be concluded by the second half of this year, when company will be taking a decision over the option of starting manufacturing operations in India. As per the industry sources, the company is mulling over the option of setting-up a new plant either Pune or Gujarat, from where it looking forward to manufacture new generation Defender model. The new facility of the company would also be hosting an engine manufacturing plant.
The new JLR manufacturing plant is likely to come-up by year 2015 with an initial capacity to produce 30,000 to 40,000 units per annum. The next generation Defender model which is expected to be the first model to which company will be producing in the Indian market, will come powered by a 2 liter, in line – turbocharged four cylinder engine delivering a peak power in the range of 170-250 hp.
At present, JLR assembles Land Rover Freelander model at its assembly plant at Chikhale near Pune.
