Jaguar Land Rover has opened its new $1.6 billion (around Rs 9,404 crore) manufacturing plant in Nitra, Slovakia, where the new Land Rover Discovery will be produced.

The 3,00,000 sq.m factory currently employs 1,500 people, with the first phase capable of making 1,50,000 cars a year. The Discovery is the only model confirmed right now to be built at the plant, but it is likely other SUVs will be made here in the future. JLR is currently recruiting another 850 people to work at the site.

Jaguar Land Rover boss Ralf Speth said the investment in Nitra marks the latest step in the company’s global expansion strategy, following the opening of its Chinese joint venture in 2014 and Brazilian plant in 2016. JLR also has contract manufacturing operations in India since 2011 and in Austria since 2017.

“Global businesses require global operational footprints,” said Speth. “While Jaguar Land Rover’s heart and soul remain firmly anchored in the UK, expanding internationally only enriches and strengthens our UK business.”

The Nitra plant, which received financial investment from the Slovakian government, has been under construction since 2016. Jaguar said the plant incorporates cutting-edge technologies and features a highly automated paint shop process to ensure the highest quality and minimise environmental impact.

Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull factory in UK has recently begun a planned two-week shutdown following a decline in global sales. It is also operating a three-day week at its Castle Bromwich factory, where the Jaguar XE, XF and XJ sedans are made, until after the Christmas period.

JAMES ATTWOOD