A new Indian-built JLR model based on a new platform being created by parent firm Tata Motors will be launched next year.
Confirmed by Tata Group boss Natarajan Chandrasekaran, the platform will also underpin a “high-end” Tata model.
Both will be built in an all-new factory in India, and there are plans to export them to other markets.
“We’re able to bring the cost attitude of Tata Motors with the design sophistication of JLR,” Chandrasekaran told Autocar India. “Then you get the benefit occurring for both in two different ways and the volumes go up, which justifies the investment that goes into the platform.”
He added: “We have bigger aspirations, both for JLR and Tata Motors.”
He stopped short of confirming which badge the new JLR model would wear, or what would power it, but it is not expected to be electrified given India’s dependency on combustion engines.
As such, it is also likely to initially be sold exclusively in Asian markets, with a strong business case needed before exports to regions where JLR is pushing electrification are considered.
When approached for a response, JLR told Autocar that it does not comment on future products.
JLR already builds cars in India, opening its Pune factory in 2011, and this now assembles Land Rovers and Range Rovers from knock-down kits for the local market.
The British company made the move to fulfil growing demand from Asian and particularly Chinese customers. China was JLR’s biggest retail market last year, recording 104,123 sales.
That demand has also seen JLR revive the Freelander moniker, which will spawn a range of plug-in hybrid and electric cars built by Chery JLR in China. That powertrain mix means export plans have already been tabled.
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Geez, what a load of drama queens all you commenters are.Firstly the comparison to Alfa/Nissan is nonsense. That was over 40 years ago, and neither brand were making great cars frankly.
Second, Tata are doing great, and I have every confidence that the platform will be great - whatever badge it will have on it.Third, thanks to Tata Land Rover are actually thriving, and if you have a problem with Indian ownership - well that's just capitalism - which all of you have been embracing all your lives.Just get over it and yourselves.
Wonder if any of this is down to its Chinese partner Chery launching SUV's under its own brand names which look similar to JLR design language? Worth remembering that Tata already build vehicles using the original Evoque platform and a number of ex-Rover engineers ended up working at Tata. Cross fertilisation is inevitable if JLR want to fill lower cost/aspirational segments although they should have done this ages ago.
And don't forget reliability or lack of.
Whatever, JLR will first overprice it, then release another car which competes with it. Either way (or both) they will DEFINITELY have the steering wheel on the LH side in all the publicity photos...because they're thick.