JLR Confirms first product to be built in Brazil.

• Jaguar Land Rover confirms Discovery Sport as one of the models to be produced at its new local manufacturing facility in Brazil
• R$750m investment in the new facility in Itatiaia in the State of Rio de Janeiro
• Annual production capacity of 24,000 units for the Brazilian market only – from 2016

Jaguar Land Rover confirmed today, at the Sao Paulo International Motor Show, that its breakthrough Land Rover Discovery Sport will be one of the first models to be built at its new R$750m (£240m) local manufacturing facility in Itatiaia, Brazil.

The new factory, which will see a total investment of R$750m (£240m) by the end of 2020, will supplement UK production and have the capacity to build 24,000 vehicles annually for the Brazilian market. With the first vehicle driving off the production line in 2016, 400 jobs will be created initially and this is expected to almost double by the end of the decade.

In addition, Jaguar Land Rover will also utilise Itatiaia’s access to the local supply base and skilled workforce – one of the main reasons Jaguar Land Rover selected its location – for nearly 1,000 jobs that will also be created across the local supply chain.

 With all agreements in place, following the announcement of the facility in December 2013, Jaguar Land Rover will start construction of the new facility at the end of the year, making it one step closer to becoming the only British car maker to open a local manufacturing facility in Brazil. This new factory will be Jaguar Land Rover’s first wholly-owned manufacturing plant outside the United Kingdom.

 Speaking at the Sao Paulo Auto Show, Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director, said: “Brazil and the surrounding regions are very important to Jaguar Land Rover. With customers in Brazil showing an increasing appetite for highly capable premium products, we are proud to confirm that our new breakthrough Discovery Sport will be manufactured at our new Brazilian facility.”  

 Jaguar Land Rover is committed to its ambitious plans for increasing the manufacturing footprint of the company to create additional capacity. This new manufacturing facility will play an important role in supporting the significant growth opportunity identified in Brazil and across other South American markets.

The all-new Discovery Sport is the world’s most versatile and capable premium compact SUV and is the first member of the new Discovery family. Featuring 5+2 seating, the Discovery Sport has a footprint no larger than existing 5-seat premium SUV’s, resulting in the ultimate use of interior space.

With a responsible business model in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover is getting ready to launch its Inspiring Tomorrow’s Workforce programme as part of its CSR strategy in Brazil. This looks at improving the employability of the unemployed from the local community of Itatiaia and nearby Resende with the end goal of preparing them for work. It is a programme that Jaguar Land Rover has already successfully piloted in the UK with a number of unemployed gaining employment or an apprenticeship within the company and its wider supply chain.

Jaguar Land Rover in Brazil

Jaguar Land Rover has had a presence in the Brazilian market for more than 20 years. Its national sales company is based in Sao Paulo, employing almost 100 people. By March 2015 there will be 42 dealers across Brazil as part of the company’s further expansion plans.

Since 2012, the Jaguar dealer network has grown from two to 18 showrooms and in 2013, Jaguar sales were up 385 per cent year-on-year making it the fastest growing luxury brand in Brazil.

So far in 2014, Jaguar Land Rover has sold 7,346 vehicles in Brazil year-to-date, with the strongest-selling models being the Range Rover Evoque, Range Rover Sport and Discovery.