JLR to start assembling Freelander2 in India by Nov 2010

Jaguar & Land Rover, a British subsidiary of Tata Motors, has reportedly sped-up the preparations of assembly operations of its one of the most popular SUV (sports utility vehicle) Freelander2 in the Indian market. According to industry reports, the company is all set to start the assembly operations of this model in India by the month of November this year. The company will be using the Chikhli facility in Maharashtra which was earlier used by luxury car maker Mercedes Benz for the assembly of its cars in the Indian market. Tata Motors is currently reported to be conducting the installation and maintenance work at this facility on behalf of Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).

The Freelander2 is the lowest priced car in the JLR's India portfolio and is expected to receive an overwhelming response from the buyers in the Indian market. Thus, the company wants to roll-out this car in the country as early as possible and for this, it has decided to utilize the almost ready Chikhli facility of Tata Motors. Before this, the facility had been leased to Mercedes Benz that again handed over the facility to Tata Motors in Year 2009. At present, the Chikhli facility has a production capacity of 3,500 units in single shift.

Recently, a JLR spokesperson told to a leading Indian news agency that it has been confirmed that JLR plans to assemble Land Rover vehicles in India for the Indian market, from next year. Moreover, the company has already announced its plans of assembling a Land Rover SUV in the country from year 2011. At present, the company imports all of its India portfolio vehicles from its base market UK. Assembling the Freelander2 in the Indian market will provide a considerable reduction in its price in the country. As of now, the Freelander2 model carries a starting price tag of Rs 33.55 lakh ( Delhi, ex-showroom).

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