Jaguar Land Rover to make ‘Baby Defender’ at Halewood plant
Jaguar Land Rover is to produce a ‘Baby Defender’ model at its Halewood plant.
The giant’s new offering is expected to be the sibling model to the next-generation Range Rover Evoque, Velar and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
The 4×4 has been on the cards for a number of years and could be available in dealerships by 2027.
The news comes after Jaguar Land Rover revealed its profits continued to rise[2] as its sales surged by more than half during its latest financial period.
The group posted a revenue of £6.9bn for the three months to June 30, 2023, up 57% compared to the same period in 2022.
The first quarter results also saw JLR post pre-tax profits of £435m, up from a loss a year ago and profits of £368m in the fourth quarter of its previous financial period.
JLR added that its revenue was down 3% compared to the prior quarter “due to slightly lower wholesales reflecting shipping schedules”.
It also said its higher profits were helped by “favourable volume, mix, pricing and foreign exchange revaluation offset partially by higher inflation and supplier claims”.
Earlier this year[3], the group unveiled a new name and logo as part of a major rebrand of the automotive giant.
Its owner, Tata Group, also recently confirmed plans[4] to invest more than £4bn to build an electric car battery plant in the UK.
In April this year[5], JLR announced a £15bn electric vehicle transformation plan that will see its Merseyside plant become an all-electric manufacturing site and more investment in its West Midlands sites.
JLR says its Reimagine strategy will help it to become “the world’s leading modern luxury car manufacturer”.
Its Halewood site in Merseyside will become all-electric, while its Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton will become the group’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre.
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References
- ^ Click here to sign up to the BusinessLive North West newsletter (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ revealed its profits continued to rise (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ Earlier this year (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ also recently confirmed plans (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ In April this year (www.business-live.co.uk)
- ^ Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the Echo Daily newsletter here (www.liverpoolecho.co.uk)