Interesting read ...

http://www.autoblog.com/2015/07/02/jaguar-...-official/

It's funny how everyone seems to overlook the fact that JLR are already assembling vehicles outside of the UK.

Yes the new plant in China is a big deal.

But hey, some XJ's, XF's and Freelanders are already assembled in Pune, India.

Freelanders also assembled in Aqaba, Jordan.

Not sure if outsourced manufacturing is good from a brand image for JLR though, I suspect some reasons for the Rapide not being as successful as planned was snobbery. Buying an Aston that's not assembled in the UK? Ugh!

Cars built in China for Chinese customers is no problem, most don't care. Same for cars built in India for Indian customers.

Magna Steyr do good work, but that might not be enough for the snobs. Mercedes buyers don't care if they G-Wagen is built in Germany or Austria, it's all the same.

But a British brand, not assembled in Britain, hmmm... 2008 Freelander 2 HSE Si6 Black/Black - Hers
2009 Jaguar XKR 4.2 S/C Portfolio
2005 Jaguar XJR 4.2 S/C Black/Cranberry
2005 Jaguar X-Type 3.0L AWD - Gone

Why do they have to be built abroad. why not here!! Is it the lack of available skills we hear about. Although production is automated to a large extent you still need people who can use hand tools and not just keyboards.

Quote:

Union leaders are concerned about the impact an East European plant could have on UK JLR jobs.

Union leaders are calling for urgent talks with luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) over concerns about job security at its UK plants, including Halewood.

Quote:

“But we are concerned about plans to open a plant in Eastern Europe which could build up to 200,000 cars a year.”

Halewood employs 4,500 staff and is working around the clock building the Range Rover Evoque and Land Rover Discovery Sport.

Mr Maddison said JLR is currently building a total of 462,000 vehicles a year in its UK plants, but it is aiming to be in a position to be able to make between 1.2 million and 1.5 million vehicles a year.

The union understands that JLR has narrowed down its choice of possible locations in Eastern Europe to four: Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

A final choice will probably depend on the amount of financial support offered by potential host countries.