Indian Autos blog

Update – Prices listed are ex-showroom and not on-road as previously understood.

The facelifted Land Rover Freelander 2 has reached certain JLR outlets in India. One IAB reader wrote in to us along with these snaps taken at a dealership that serves as concrete evidence to the claim. We’re not entirely sure of the next fact – these are locally made Freelanders rolled out from the Tata’ revamped Chikhli facility in Pune.

The Freelander 2 has been runaway success with over 200,000 of them shifted in less than four years. The Freelander 2 went into production in 2006.

Back in the first week of March, a top Tata official said the plant, previously used by Mercedes Benz, will push out 2,000 units a year. The reader adds that two variants are on sale for about 35 lakh and 39 lakh rupees (ex-showroom) in certain parts of North India. There is no official word from Tata Motors except for a promise that the Freelander 2 will be assembled in India this year.

The facelifted Freelander 2 has minor cosmetic changes to its front fascia. A new grille, reworked bumper, altered fog lamps and air intakes are the only changes on the 2011 model shown above. Indian Autos Blog brought leaked brochure shots of the 2011 model back in July last year and speculated if it was indeed the model that would be assembled in India this year.

Hoping to cash-in on the new budget reforms, Tata Motors has decided to assemble its Freelander SUV in India. Earlier, the so called ‘Baby Landrover’ was imported in form of a CBU to India. But now Tata Motors will import CKD units from JLR and assemble them at their Chikhli plant near Pune. Tata Motors MD and CEO Carl Peter Forster – The local assembly will start later this year,  [ Read More ]

It is learnt today that Tata Motors will assemble Land Rover models at its Chikhli facility in Maharashtra in the next few months. The Freelander 2 will be the first model to roll out of the assembly line, which was leased out to Mercedes Benz previously.

Currently undergoing maintenance to prepare it for the shifts, the Chikhli facility over the next few months will see machinery installation for the assembly of the Freelander 2. There is no word on localization yet, Tata Motors could look up to its wide vendor base to source minor electrical and electronic components locally.

Wheelosphere reports that the Freelander 2 will be assembled starting this November. The Land Rover Freelander 2 is the cheapest model in the LR range.

The Freelander 2 has been a very profitable model for Land Rover with sales reaching 200,000 units since its introduction.

The Chikhli facility has a capacity to produce 3,500 units in a year working on a single shift. We don’t think JLR will stop with the Freelander. Many of its models, over time, should reach the Chikhli facility as kits from Britain.

The Freelander 2 currently in the CBU form costs Rs 33.79 lakhs (Ex-showroom Mumbai) and assembling it locally could reduce its price by 5-10 lakh rupees.

The 2011 year model was unveiled (pictured) listing a new 2.2-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder engine capable of generating either 148 horsepower (110 kW, 150 PS), or 187 horsepower (140 kW, 190 PS). This could be the best bet for the Indian market.

As a part of its expansion exercise, JLR will increase dealership count from three to seven in the 2010-11 period.

If you can’t view the slideshow above, visit the Land Rover Freelander 2 Image Gallery directly