British automaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has signed a Letter of Intent with the government of the Slovak Republic for the development of a new manufacturing plant in western Slovakia.

While the UK remains at the centre of Jaguar Land Rover’s design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities, the company has selected Slovakia as its preferred location due to its close proximity 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.

Dr Ralf Speth, chief executive officer of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The expansion of our business globally is essential to support its long-term, resilient growth.”

“In addition to increasing capacity, the new manufacturing plant allows us to invest in the development of new vehicles and technologies. 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,” he added.

The feasibility study underway with the Slovakian government 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 Jaguar Land Rover vehicles, with the first cars anticipated to come off the production line in 2018.

Jaguar Land Rover has made significant progress in building its international manufacturing presence over the last year. It opened a new joint venture in China and commenced construction of its local manufacturing plant in Brazil at the end of 2014. – TradeArabia News Service