5 years, 500,000 units, & a continued expansion of models keep the Evoque a huge success for Jaguar Land Rover.

• The world’s most recognisable luxury compact SUV celebrates its fifth birthday
• Every 170 seconds a Range Rover Evoque is produced in the UK, with more than half a million built since 4 July 2011
• Range Rover Evoque accounted for one in four Land Rover sales in 2015

The world’s most recognisable and luxurious compact SUV, the Range Rover Evoque, reached a historic milestone today as it celebrated its fifth year of production at Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced manufacturing facility near Liverpool, UK.

With over half a million sold globally in more than 180 countries since 2011, the Range Rover Evoque – driven everywhere from Madrid to Manila – is Land Rover’s greatest sales success story. It is also Land Rover’s most efficient model, thanks to its British-built Ingenium engines which offer class-leading CO₂ emissions of just 109g/km and impressive fuel consumption of 68mpg.

The Range Rover Evoque has become a non-stop British success with 24-hour production at the Halewood plant. Since the first Evoque rolled off the production line on 4 July 2011, sales have increased five-fold from just over 22,000 in 2011 to more than 108,000 in 2015 – with a new Evoque now rolling off the production line every 170 seconds. At the same time, the workforce has also trebled to more than 4,000, with 1,500 recruited specifically to support the launch of this record-breaking vehicle in 2011.

Over the past five years, employees have clocked up more than three million night-shift hours, consuming 668,000 cups of coffee, half a million eggs and 125,000 slices of toast to keep energy levels up during an eight hour shift. A total of 1.7 billion Evoque parts have been fitted in the Trim and Final assembly area, travelling over 2.5 million miles of conveyor system.

Jaguar Land Rover associate Ash Milburn joined Halewood shortly after the launch of the Evoque: “I started as an Apprentice at a very exciting time for the company. The Range Rover Evoque has been hugely successful; it has brought a lot of positive changes to Halewood and has contributed immensely to the success of Jaguar Land Rover, as well as boosting the whole UK automotive industry,” he said.

Ross Bolton, Paint Shop Production Leader, said: “I started in February 2011 so I have witnessed the transformation in the factory that Evoque has brought with it. I have since been promoted to a Production Leader and I am grateful to the company for this amazing opportunity. I am looking forward to continuing to support the business and helping us drive our success forward into the future.”

Earlier this year, Halewood began building a new soft-top member of the Evoque family, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible; the world’s first luxury SUV convertible and another first for Land Rover. Despite the typical British summer weather, employees at Halewood enjoyed the roof-down experience of driving the Evoque Convertible on the Land Rover Experience off-road course as part of the birthday celebrations.

Richard Else, Jaguar Land Rover Halewood Operations Director, said: “During my 25 years at Jaguar Land Rover it has been the last five years that have been the most eventful, exciting and rewarding. The impact which Evoque has made to our business and to Halewood is nothing short of transformational. I am immensely proud of the Halewood team; their pride, passion and commitment to getting the job done and going above and beyond is second to none.”

Globally, the Evoque has picked up nearly 200 awards over the last five years. Halewood Operations has also picked 11 regional business awards and recently won its first national award as it took home the ‘UK Manufacturer of the Year’ crown at the Insider MADE in the UK Manufacturing Awards 2016. 

Jaguar Land Rover has invested £600 million at the Halewood plant since 2010 to support the Range Rover Evoque (2011), Land Rover Discovery Sport (2014) and the Evoque Convertible (2016). The Evoque is also the fastest selling Land Rover of all time, accounting for one in four Land Rovers sold around the world in 2015. Local production also started in China in 2015, and more recently, announced in Brazil.

Halewood – Facts & Figures

• Halewood Operations manufactures the multi award winning Range Rover Evoque and the Land Rover Discovery Sport, the most versatile premium compact SUV.
• The plant is operating at full capacity, 24 hours-a-day.
• Jaguar Land Rover invested more than £500 million in Halewood between 2011 and 2015
• Jaguar Land Rover has also invested more than £5 billion in UK supply contracts linked with Evoque and Discovery Sport production.
• Over 2200 Halewood employees have completed Apprenticeships in the past two years.
• 3 million night shift hours have been worked since 2011
• 1.69 billion Evoque parts have been fitted throughout Halewood’s Trim and Final assembly, travelling down 2.26 million miles of conveyor system
• Over the past five years, employees have consumed 668,083 cups of coffee, 751,134 rashers of bacon, 518,210 eggs 125,727 slices of toast and 692,104 sausages at the plant

500,000 sold and still the class leader, the Evoque is Land Rovers fastest ever selling product.

• 500,000th Range Rover Evoque rolls off production line in Halewood, UK, just over four years after going on sale
• Luxury compact SUV is the fastest-selling Land Rover ever produced
• New Convertible joins five-door and Coupé models to complete the line-up
• A new vehicle rolls off the Halewood production line every 80 seconds

Land Rover is celebrating the production of its 500,000^th Range Rover Evoque at Halewood, just over four years after deliveries of the luxury compact SUV commenced.

Evoque is the fastest-selling and most successful Land Rover ever produced, having become the quickest to reach the half-a-million vehicle production landmark.

One in every three Land Rovers sold around the world is an Evoque and strong global demand ensures the production line at Halewood is in operation 24 hours a day, with a new vehicle coming off the line every 80 seconds.

Gerry McGovern, Chief Design Officer, Land Rover, said: “Evoque has been a huge success for Land Rover winning more than 165 international awards, bringing new customers to the brand and evolving to stay ahead of the competition. With our bold new Evoque Convertible we have broadened the range and will attract even more new customers to the brand.”

The launch of the Evoque marked a major milestone in the transformation of the fortunes of the Halewood manufacturing plant which welcomed £250mn of investment to bring this award winning model to market. Its arrival at the Merseyside based site saw the introduction of a third shift and in just four the plant’s workforce trebled and production quadrupled. Evoque continues to support Range Rover’s reputation for engineering excellence and innovation. For the 2016 model year, the luxury compact SUV was enhanced with refinements to the ground breaking exterior design including the availability of full-LED adaptive headlamps – a first for Jaguar Land Rover. An advanced line-up of new Ingenium diesel engines also delivers best-in-class CO₂emissions of 109g/km and fuel consumption of 68mpg (4.2 l/100km), making Evoque the most efficient Land Rover model.

The striking new Evoque Convertible made its world debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November 2015. When it goes on sale from Spring 2016, it will be the only luxury compact SUV convertible in the world.

Richard Else, Operations Director, Halewood, said: The Range Rover Evoque has been a fantastic success for Halewood and for Jaguar Land Rover. We are very proud of our award winning SUV and we are looking forward to welcoming the new Evoque Convertible to Halewood very soon.”

The completion of the 500,000^th Evoque is the latest in a series of Land Rover production milestones achieved recently. In April 2015, Land Rover celebrated its 6,000,000^th vehicle sold – a specially manufactured Range Rover Vogue SE LWB fitted with unique puddle lamp designs to mark the occasion.

In June 2015, Land Rover marked the 2,000,000^th Series Land Rover and Defender vehicle with a bespoke model assembled by key figures from the legendary 4x4’s past. It was auctioned at Bonhams auction house in London, UK, on 16 December to raise funds for International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and Born Free Foundation, fetching £400,000 to be shared equally between both charities.

First UK customer deliveries of the new Evoque Convertible will be in June this year with prices starting from £47,500 for the HSE Dynamic.

ENDS

Editors' Notes

Evoque timeline

2009 – LRX Concept wows the crowds at Detroit Motor Show

2010 – Range Rover Evoque revealed at Kensington Palace, UK

2011 – First production Evoque rolls of the Halewood production line

2012 – 100,000 milestone is reached in less than one year – the first Land Rover to achieve this

2013 – Evoque becomes one of the first passenger vehicles fitted with a nine-speed automatic

2014 – Luxury Union Jack-themed SW1 edition is latest in a series of special editions

2015 – Refreshed design, new technology and fresh powertrains introduced

2016 – New Convertible model introduced

The Skoda Yeti has hit the Half Million Milestone at the Kvasiny production facility in the Czech Republic.

• 500,000 Yetis produced at ŠKODA’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic
• Available in two and four-wheel-drive versions
• Yeti and Yeti Outdoor: five trim grades including new Monte Carlo
• ŠKODA continues programme of expansion at the Kvasiny plant
• ŠKODA Yeti production in Europe, China, Russia and India

The 500,000 ŠKODA Yeti has rolled off the ŠKODA production line in Kvasiny. The milestone vehicle – a Yeti Monte Carlo in Corrida Red – was photographed with production line employees as it completed its journey through the plant.

“Achieving a production figure of half a million ŠKODA Yetis is yet another milestone for the Kvasiny plant”, says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Board Member for Production and Logistics. “Since its introduction, the Yeti has delighted customers in Europe and the international markets. 

We owe this success not least to the team in Kvasiny. It is with their technical skills, their expertise and the highest commitment that they essentially shape the excellent reputation of the plant. Over the next few years, Kvasiny’s production volume will increase significantly. SUV production is going to play an important role in this.”

The Czech car manufacturer celebrated its premiere in the SUV segment in 2009 with the ŠKODA Yeti. The Yeti quickly became one of the most successful vehicles in its class.

In 2013, the ŠKODA Yeti was completely redesigned, and has since been available in two individual design versions: the smart ŠKODA Yeti for the city, and the adventurous ŠKODA Yeti for the great outdoors. Both versions of the ŠKODA Yeti score with expressive designs, fresh interiors, attractive 'Simply Clever' ideas, highest functionality and enhanced engine/gearbox combinations.

Both versions of the Yeti are available with front- and all-wheel drive. The modern 4x4 version has outstanding off-road characteristics, offering maximum all-wheel functionality in combination with the Yeti’s proven qualities. The ŠKODA Yeti Monte Carlo has been available since 2014, extending the Yeti range with a sporty version.

In addition to the production in Kvasiny, the ŠKODA Yeti runs off the production lines in China and Russia. In China, the Yeti is produced locally at the Shanghai Volkswagen plant as an extended version for the Chinese market. In Russia, production of the compact SUV is carried out in corporation with the Russian manufacturer GAZ Group at the Nizhniy Novgorod plant.

Kvasiny is one of ŠKODA’s three production plants in the Czech Republic. In addition to the ŠKODA Yeti, the ŠKODA Superb and Superb Combi models currently run off the assembly lines here. In 2014, 166,200 ŠKODA vehicles were produced at Kvasiny. 

Around 4,500 employees are currently employed here, making it one of the largest industrial employers in the Hradec Králové region. The automobile factory was founded some 81 years ago, and ŠKODA cars have been manufactured there since 1947.

The Kvasiny plant is currently undergoing the most extensive modernisation and expansion project in the history of the site. Over the next few years, the production capacity of the East-Bohemian region is set to increase by up to 280,000 vehicles per year. There are also plans to create up to 1,300 additional jobs. ŠKODA will be investing around seven billion Czech crowns into the development project.

• 500,000 Yetis produced at ŠKODA’s Kvasiny plant in the Czech Republic
• Available in two and four-wheel-drive versions
• Yeti and Yeti Outdoor: five trim grades including new Monte Carlo
• ŠKODA continues programme of expansion at the Kvasiny plant
• ŠKODA Yeti production in Europe, China, Russia and India

Milton Keynes, 30 October 2015 The 500,000 ŠKODA Yeti has rolled off the ŠKODA production line in Kvasiny. The milestone vehicle – a Yeti Monte Carlo in Corrida Red – was photographed with production line employees as it completed its journey through the plant.

“Achieving a production figure of half a million ŠKODA Yetis is yet another milestone for the Kvasiny plant”, says Michael Oeljeklaus, ŠKODA Board Member for Production and Logistics. “Since its introduction, the Yeti has delighted customers in Europe and the international markets. We owe this success not least to the team in Kvasiny. It is with their technical skills, their expertise and the highest commitment that they essentially shape the excellent reputation of the plant. Over the next few years, Kvasiny’s production volume will increase significantly. SUV production is going to play an important role in this.”

The Czech car manufacturer celebrated its premiere in the SUV segment in 2009 with the ŠKODA Yeti. The Yeti quickly became one of the most successful vehicles in its class.

In 2013, the ŠKODA Yeti was completely redesigned, and has since been available in two individual design versions: the smart ŠKODA Yeti for the city, and the adventurous ŠKODA Yeti for the great outdoors. Both versions of the ŠKODA Yeti score with expressive designs, fresh interiors, attractive 'Simply Clever' ideas, highest functionality and enhanced engine/gearbox combinations.

Both versions of the Yeti are available with front- and all-wheel drive. The modern 4x4 version has outstanding off-road characteristics, offering maximum all-wheel functionality in combination with the Yeti’s proven qualities. The ŠKODA Yeti Monte Carlo has been available since 2014, extending the Yeti range with a sporty version.

In addition to the production in Kvasiny, the ŠKODA Yeti runs off the production lines in China and Russia. In China, the Yeti is produced locally at the Shanghai Volkswagen plant as an extended version for the Chinese market. In Russia, production of the compact SUV is carried out in corporation with the Russian manufacturer GAZ Group at the Nizhniy Novgorod plant.

Kvasiny is one of ŠKODA’s three production plants in the Czech Republic. In addition to the ŠKODA Yeti, the ŠKODA Superb and Superb Combi models currently run off the assembly lines here. In 2014, 166,200 ŠKODA vehicles were produced at Kvasiny. Around 4,500 employees

are currently employed here, making it one of the largest industrial employers in the Hradec Králové region. The automobile factory was founded some 81 years ago, and ŠKODA cars have been manufactured there since 1947.

The Kvasiny plant is currently undergoing the most extensive modernisation and expansion project in the history of the site. Over the next few years, the production capacity of the East-Bohemian region is set to increase by up to 280,000 vehicles per year. There are also plans to create up to 1,300 additional jobs. ŠKODA will be investing around seven billion Czech crowns into the development project.

Nissan continues to tighten it's grip on the Crossover sector, with great current and future models.

• Second-generation Qashqai reaches 500,000 production milestone in record breaking time
• Juke marks five years at the top of the compact Crossover sector
• New generation X-Trail celebrates first birthday with new 1.6 DIG-T 163 engine option
• Nissan Crossover technology, including Around View Monitor, continues to set standards
• Nissan Gripz Concept gives a glimpse of Nissan’s Crossover future

Nissan is continuing to extend its leadership of the Crossover sector as the brand celebrates a number of significant developments and anniversaries over the course of 2015.

Eleven years after the original Qashqai concept car ushered in a new era in family car design, Nissan Crossovers have become award-winning and preferred choices in all the sectors of the market in which they compete. From the best-selling compact Crossover Juke to the adventure-ready, seven-seater X-Trail, Nissan Crossovers continue to pave the way for others to follow.

New Qashqai tops half a million 

Thanks to strong global demand and an ever-increasing list of accolades, Nissan is once again setting new production and sales records with its second-generation Qashqai. Despite coming to the market just 21 months ago, the new Qashqai has already smashed the half million mark with the 500,000^th model rolling off the production line at the Sunderland plant earlier this month.

Since production began in 2014, a new Qashqai has been built every 62 seconds, or 58 per hour, on the factory’s Line 1. The Qashqai’s unmatched package of quality, styling and technology make it the best-selling Crossover in Europe.

Juke celebrates five years at the top

And it’s not just the Qashqai marking landmark achievements in 2015. The Nissan Juke continues to consolidate its position as Europe’s favourite compact Crossover – exactly five years after production began.

Extensively refreshed in 2014, with a package of design and engineering updates, the Juke has risen to become the brand’s second best-selling model after the Qashqai, and continues to captivate buyers with its bold look, high technology levels and incredible value for money.

Over the course of its five year production run, the Juke has successfully moved into the sporting arena, with headline-grabbing, record breaking models such as the Juke NISMO RS and the incredible Juke-R concept adding an exhilarating dimension to the range. The Juke-R and its latest successor, the Juke-R 2.0 are both powered by a 3.8-litre turbocharged V6 sourced from the GT-R, and perfectly showcase Nissan’s passion for innovation and driving excitement.

With the next generation freshly announced for production at Nissan’s manufacturing plant in Sunderland, UK, the Juke continues to prove the marque’s dedication to innovative engineering, manufacturing quality and Crossover excellence.  

X-Trail goes from strength to strength

Launched just over a year ago, Nissan’s newest generation Crossover – the adventure-ready X-Trail – is celebrating its first birthday with its most extensive ever range.

With the recent introduction of a new 1.6-litre DIG-T 163 petrol engine, the new X-Trail line-up offers even more choice to buyers. Offered in front-wheel drive form, the new 1.6-litre DIG-T model incorporates a host of Nissan-developed fuel-saving technologies designed to drive down running costs for buyers. With CO2 emissions of just 145g/km and fuel economy of 35.8mpg, the latest addition to the X-Trail range highlights Nissan’s commitment to delivering innovation at an affordable price.

Crossover technology - pioneered by Nissan and still leading the way

Nissan’s pioneering approach to quality and technology has helped put state-of-the-art systems and driver aids within reach of millions of motorists over the past decade. Although rival manufacturers have attempted to offer technologies that offer similar functionality, none have been able to match Nissan for seamless integration, simplicity and affordability.

Among the many stand-out features that continue to win industry acclaim and praise from buyers is Nissan’s Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD). Designed to assist with parking, the former gives the driver a virtual bird's-eye view of their vehicle as they maneuver into a space. Moving Object Detection adds an extra layer of protection by warning the driver if something moves into the path of their moving vehicle. By detecting moving objects around the car and alerting the driver, this technology enhances safety when pulling out of a parking space, helping give drivers better awareness of their surroundings and increased peace of mind. Both of these advanced technologies are available across Nissan’s Crossover line-up (and elsewhere) and continue to set the standards for usability and value.

The future - developing next-generation crossover design

Nissan knows that bold thinking and innovation lay at the heart of Crossover development. That’s why the brand is pushing the boundaries once more with the Nissan Gripz Concept – a vehicle that showcases Nissan’s passion for rewriting the rulebook. Combining radical looks with a dramatic sense of adventure, the Nissan GRIPZ Concept takes concept design into a new and exciting direction.

The Nissan Gripz Concept not only introduces new ‘emotional geometry’ design language, it also shows the design and engineering possibilities of a future compact crossover. Powered by a Series Hybrid EV drivetrain and featuring a dramatic 2+2 layout, the Nissan Gripz Concept perfectly blends the ability and practicality of a traditional compact crossover with the excitement and performance of a sports car.

USA, Volkswagen's Chattanooga plant celebrates the production of the 500,000th Passat sedan.

Volkswagen Chattanooga has achieved a significant production milestone with the completion of its 500,000^th Passat.

The car, produced in the world’s first and only LEED Platinum certified factory, was a Candy White Limited Edition, with black interior, keyless access with pushbutton start, a rearview camera, heated seats, a 170 horsepower, 1.8 liter turbo engine, premium radio and 17 inch alloy ‘Sonoma’ wheels.

“Our Passat has raised the bar on what Americans can expect from a mid-size sedan and the 500,000^th car was built with the same passion for detail as the first,” Christian Koch, President and CEO of Volkswagen Chattanooga. “I’m proud of our team and excited about new products on the horizon in this factory,” Koch said.

Volkswagen Chattanooga is currently undertaking a $900 million expansion to add a second model to the Chattanooga line. The expansion will add 2,000 jobs, the North American Engineering and Planning Center and will produce a 7-seat, midsize SUV.

“Built in Chattanooga, Tenn., the Volkswagen Passat embodies the spirit of America and continues to play a key role in the brand’s U.S. growth strategy,” said Michael Horn, president and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America. “We are very proud of the team at Volkswagen Chattanooga and congratulate them on reaching the milestone of producing the 500,000^th Passat.”

The event will be commemorated on Volkswagen Chattanooga’s Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, as the construction of the car was followed from body shop, to paint and finally to the assembly shop and those images will be released throughout the day.