Posted On: Mar 2, 2011 By: Charles Kayajian Category: Land Rover News

Showing a continued commitment to establishing a foothold in burgeoning automotive markets, Jaguar Land Rover recently announced that it will be opening a new factory in Pune, India.

Land Rover to expand in India

Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India’s Tata Motors, will use the Pune site to reassemble Freelander 2 SUVs manufactured in the UK. Known as a complete knock-down factory, the new location in India represents a strategic move by Jaguar Land Rover as it looks to bolster its presence within emerging markets

With rumors of similar “screwdriver” factories popping up in China in anticipation of increased demand, the recent developments in India are far from surprising. Despite selling only 400 Rovers in India last year, Jaguar Land Rover has already sold 195 vehicles to date. By assembling vehicles in India (rather than shipping them assembled from the UK) Jaguar Land Rover will also be averting costly vehicle import taxes.

In addition to the assembly plant in Pune, Jaguar Land Rover plans to add two additional dealer locations in India by 2011.