Since Tata Motors’ Jaguar Land Rover Compact Crossover SUV, the Range Rover Evoque, was launched on 9th of September, JLR have been awestruck with the positive reviews the Evoque receives from all over the world. The Evoque won more than 100 international accolades which is a rarity in automobile scene.

JLR’s sales soared through the skies with more than 60,000 units sold till April-2012.  This sales figure only indicates that the demand for Evoque is increasing in a fast pace with markets like India and China also seeing an increase in sales of the Evoque.  With help of the Evoque, JLR had a revenue growth of over 41 % and believe it or not, an 89 % growth without tax.

£2bn in 2011 + £1bn in 2012+ 1,000 jobs + 300 jobs for Logistics  = Happy UK Economy

• JLR already awarded a £2bn contract to 40 UK suppliers in March 2011, now it is topped up with £1bn more over next 4 years.
• These suppliers provide technical services and components to the Range Rover Evoque production line in Halewood on Merseyside, UK.
• Suppliers include International Automotive Components, Johnson Controls, Magna International, McKecknie, Kostal, Sertec, Walsall Pressings and Kautex Unipart.
• In March 2012,  JLR promised to add 1,000 jobs at the Halewood plant to meet the strong demand.
• JLR also created a 400,000 sq.ft Logistics park at Highcross’s Phoenix warehouse in Ellesmere Port.
• It also adds 300 more jobs at the park which will be managed by JLR’s logistics provider, DHL.

Ellesmere Port MP Andrew Miller expressed the importance of the investment to the town and said that they worked for some time to strengthen the supply chain of the automotive industry in that area.

The proposed Logistics Park was used by Syncreon Logistics for the Vauxhall plant nearby, but its 400,000 sq.ft warehouse was empty which will now be occupied by JLR.

P.S: JLR recently showcased Victoria Beckham Special Edition of the Range Rover Evoque in Beijing Motor Show. Only 200 models will be built and deliveries are to begin in China by October.

For the Indian market’s consumption the Freelander 2 is assembled at Tata’s refurbished assembly line in Chikhli, Pune. The Freelander was relaunched in India last year and has been contributing in little amounts to JLR’s overall volume in India.

The landmark vehicle came off the line sporting a Borolo Black paintjob. It will be sold to a customer in Brazil. Production of the second generation Freelander began in 2006.

The Freelander 2 is also preparing for another round of cosmetic upgrades if the recent captures of by spy photographers are examined. The Freelander 2 is Land Rover’s best selling model with 52,000 units sold last year.

According to Autocar, the DC100 production model will be based on the Evoque platform. The DC100 will form the new new leisure-oriented range in a wider scheme of things of launching 40 new cars over the next five years. It will have a more desirability quotient and less of the ruggedness of the Defender. Though being an entry level SUV, it will have more car like features.

The company recently unveiled Land Rover DC100 Expedition concept which is an extreme rugged interpretation to show the traditional abusability that Land Rovers are famous for. The Expedition concept features a new white and orange paint job along with hard core accessories such as winch, snorkel, a roof rack, bull bar, beefier 275/55 Cooper tyres with five-spoke black alloys.

It also features a Wade Aid system which measures the depth of any water the DC100 might be traveling in by sonar. It also has Terrain-I system which creates a topography map of what lies ahead, displays it in 3D, and then offers alternative routes. Doesn’t all this sound like it was designed as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ride for Predator sequel?

[Source: autocar.co.uk]

[Pics courtesy:  egmcartech.com]

Hence, there were a lot of rumors about the British marquee tying the knot with Chery Automobile Company. However, it is now officially announced that this Indo-British-Chinese venture is all set to capture the luxury market in China.

The joint venture is worth 17.5 billion yuan (US$2.78 billion) and is currently applying for regulatory approval from the Chinese authorities. The joint venture would have the following scope of operations:

• Manufacture Jaguar Land Rover and joint-venture branded vehicles
• Sale of vehicles produced by the joint-venture company
• Establishment of a research and development facility
• Engine manufacturing

Unfortunately, no name has been decided for this joint venture neither are the precise terms and conditions of the commercial agreement have not been disclosed.

JLR is a latecomer to Chinese production compared to its arch German rivals who have seen sales boom in China in recent years. However, both Jaguar and Land Rover are enjoying record sales in China.

Earlier this month, JLR’s managing director, Ralf Speth revealed they were also in discussion with several Brazilian companies about establishing a South American JV.

[Source: AutoExpress.co.uk]

Read our first look of the Range Rover Evoque

The plant will now work 24 hours straight operating three shifts which is an impressive turnaround considering the kind of questions asked by industry experts on the survival of the Land Rover brand with the increasing fuel prices and tightening emission norms, just a few years ago.

[Source - AutoExpress.co.uk]

The new product will be a ‘white space’ model which means that it will open up a whole new segment for the company. The new model will be a part of the company’s ‘Leisure’ lineup, other product lines being ‘Utility’ (Defender, Discovery) and Luxury (Evoque and Range Rover).

The new Leisure lineup is a part of grand scheme of things which includes launching 40 new models in the next 5 years. The new mystery model is still years away from production but hints indicate that it will slotted below the FreeLander making it the smallest product in the automaker’s history.

The BMW X1 has been a smash hit for BMW in all markets world-wide. Back home, this entry level crossover contributes to more than half of the company’s sales. Land Rover has already tasted success with the Evoque and wants to repeat the same success story with this model. Just like the Evoque, Land Rover will definitely bring something new to the table when this entry crossover goes into production.

What do you think about this move from Land Rover?

[ Source: insideline.com ]

What’s in store?

The Range Rover Evoque Convertible Concept is based on the three-door coupe variant and uses an electronically powered soft-top roof with a glass rear screen. The dropped top is tucked away neatly under a plastic cover located behind the rear seats.

What other goodies are packed?

It will come with other goodies such as roll-over protection, surround cameras, park assist, terrain response, infotainment with 8-inch dual view touch screen and Meridian audio system, 21-inch Titan silver wheels and Lunar and Ivory with leather seats.

What changes have they made?

Land Rover engineers have added 75kg of strengthening material to make it rigid at high speed. Being a concept, no plans of putting it into production have been confirmed. If it gets the greenlight, the drop-top variant would attract a price premium of between 10 and 15 per cent over the three-door hard-top Evoque.

When would it go into production?

After Geneva, Land Rover will show the Evoque convertible at the New York Show to gauge reaction in the US market. Whether to put it into production, will only be decided 6 months after the New York premiere. The journey to showrooms would take 24-30 months.

Tata Motors has now announced that it will double the capital expenditure and product development. In the last six years, Jaguar Land Rover has spent around 700 to 800 million pounds annually on research. This figure will be boosted to 1.5 billion pounds each year.

Why is this decision taken?

JLR has recently been on a roll with soaring revenues and healthy profit margins. The buyout has been extremely beneficial for Tata Motors because JLR has been consistently contributing healthy figures in Tata Motors quarter reports. The strong demand in emerging countries for JLR has offset sluggish performance of Tata Motors in India.

Whats on-the-cards for JLR in the near future?

The immediate development will the establishment of the China JV. Tata Motors has finalized a joint venture partner for the proposed assembly plant for JLR in China and is waiting to get approvals from Chinese authorities. JLR plans to produce more than 50,000 vehicles a year from a new plant in China employing up to 5,000 people.

China joint venture for Jaguar Land Rover will be announced very soon which will allow the British marquee better access to the world’s largest auto market.

[Source: Business-standard.com]

The replacement of the Range Rover is undergoing development and is expected be be better in all aspects

What to expect from the new Range Rover?

The JLR boffins are working day & night to reduce the weight of the Range Rover. An all new all-new aluminum monocoque platform has been developed from pressed-and-riveted technology used by Jaguar under the XJ saloon. The company has managed to shave 400 kgs using the new technology. JLR also plans to plonk new lightweight V6 petrol engine making the new Range Rover tip the scales at just under two tonnes.

Will the Design be arousing like the Evoque’s?

The Range Rover will keep its boxy identity although with softened edges. The roof now slopes more towards the rear and the tailgate is much less upright. The rear light clusters have also been slimmed down and the wing vent is now much smaller and is inclined rearwards. The headlamps too are slightly inclined but the front fascia retains the old grill.

When is it expected?

It is expected to debut early next year

[Source: Autocar.co.uk; Image used from Facebook.com]

Left – The current model; Right – The facelift has redesigned lights, chrome surround on the fog light and new grille bordering.

What’s new on the 2013 Freelander 2?

Judging from the photographs posted on WorldCarFans.com, the second facelift of the least expensive Land Rover is already in the testing phase. The first facelift was unveiled in 2010 and the second one, not as comprehensive as the first (left), is expected to be revealed at the Paris Auto Show in September. There are minor differences to the headlight, taillight and grille.

Price and engines?

Rumor has it that the facelifted model will have a slightly updated interior and more fuel efficient engines. Presently a 2.2-liter diesel engine producing 150 PS / 4,000 rpm on the manual one version and 190 PS / 3,500 rpm and a maximum torque 420 Nm / 1,750 rpm on the second version. Both versions are paired to an automatic transmission.

Could the Freelander 2 facelift feature the first engine jointly developed by JLR and Tata Motors?

Prices may be left unchanged, confirmation of which is expected only after the model is announced.

[Source - WorldCarFans.com]