Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed the opening of a new manufacturing facility in Nitra, Slovakia.
The company reached an agreement with the government of the Slovak Republic to build a £1 billion factory that will eventually employ 2,800 people. This investment adds to the Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to double their investment in their recently-opened UK engine plant to almost £1 billion.
“Jaguar Land Rover is delighted today to welcome Slovakia into our family,” said Dr. Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover boss. “The new factory will complement our existing facilities in the UK, China, India and Brazil and marks the next step in the company’s strategy to become a truly global business.”
The new factory will build a series of JLR’s aluminum models, with the first cars to come off the production line in late 2018. The new factory will have an initial capacity of 150,000 vehicles and its construction will begin in 2016.
“We are glad that Jaguar Land Rover has chosen Slovakia for its new world-class manufacturing facility,” said Robert Fico, Slovakia Prime Minister. “This decision shows that, with a stable and solid business environment, Slovakia is an attractive place for investors. And the marriage of Slovak craftsmanship and British engineering holds great promise.”
The new factory is another addition to Jaguar Land Rover’s international manufacturing presence as the company has recently opened a new joined venture in China and commenced construction of their Brazil plant at the end of 2014.
Jaguar Land Rover has selected Slovakia as the location of their new plant after considering a number of other locations, including other European countries, the United States and Mexico.
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