Range Rover and Range Rover Sport Will Now Be Assembled In India

SAUDI ARABIA : Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), the parent company of the prestigious Range Rover brand, has announced that the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport SUVs will now be assembled locally in India. This strategic move aims to meet the growing demand from Indian customers. 

Traditionally, JLR has manufactured its SUVs in Solihull, UK, but this marks the first instance of the flagship models being produced in India, thereby significantly reducing the waiting time for these vehicles. The domestically assembled Range Rovers will exclusively serve the Indian market, while the UK plant will continue to cater to global demand.It's crucial to highlight that only specific variants of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport are being locally assembled in India for now. This localization initiative will allow Indian buyers to benefit from notable cost savings on these luxury SUVs. The most significant price cuts are available for the mid-spec petrol-powered Range Rover LWB, while only the entry-level variants of the Range Rover Sport will see the advantages of local assembly.

The localized models of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be equipped with the same 3-liter turbo-petrol and diesel engines. These powertrains are paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive. However, the 4.4-litre V8 turbo-petrol engine available for select variants will not be localized for the Indian market.

The decision to start local assembly comes in response to a 160 percent surge in demand for Range Rover SUVs in the current financial year. JLR has been producing vehicles in India in partnership with Tata Motors since 2011. To date, ten JLR models, including the Range Rover Velar and Range Rover Evoque, have been assembled at the Chakan plant in Pune. 

This new step towards local production is expected not only to make these SUVs more affordable but also to drastically reduce the waiting periods. Deliveries of the locally assembled Range Rover will commence immediately, while those for the Range Rover Sport are set to begin on August 16, 2024.

This move underscores JLR's commitment to the Indian market, highlighting the company's strategy to leverage local production capabilities to enhance market competitiveness. By reducing costs and waiting times, JLR aims to attract a broader customer base and solidify its presence in the luxury SUV segment. The collaboration with Tata Motors has been instrumental in facilitating this transition, showcasing a successful model of leveraging local partnerships to achieve strategic goals.

As JLR continues to expand its local assembly operations, the possibility of more variants being produced domestically cannot be ruled out. This would further enhance the value proposition for Indian customers, providing them with a wider range of locally produced luxury SUVs at competitive prices. The success of this initiative could also pave the way for JLR to explore similar strategies in other emerging markets, thereby reinforcing its global footprint.