JLR to start assembling Freelander2 in India by Nov 2010

Jaguar & Land Rover Freelander 2, a Britishand for this, it has decided to utilize the almost
subsidiary of Tata Motors, has reportedly sped-upready Chikhli facility of Tata Motors. Before this,
the preparations of assembly operations of itsthe facility had been leased to Mercedes Benz
one of the most popular SUV (sports utilitythat again handed over the facility to Tata Motors
vehicle) Freelander2 in the Indian market.in Year 2009. At present, the Chikhli facility has a
According to industry reports, the company is allproduction capacity of 3,500 units in single shift.
set to start the assembly operations of thisRecently, a JLR spokesperson told to a leading
model in India by the month of November thisIndian news agency that it has been confirmed
year. The company will be using the Chikhli facilitythat JLR plans to assemble Land Rover vehicles in
in Maharashtra which was earlier used by luxuryIndia for the Indian market, from next year.
car maker Mercedes Benz for the assembly of itsMoreover, the company has already announced
cars in the Indian market. Tata Motors is currentlyits plans of assembling a Land Rover SUV in the
reported to be conducting the installation andcountry from year 2011. At present, the
maintenance work at this facility on behalf ofcompany imports all of its India portfolio vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR).from its base market UK. Assembling the
The Freelander2 is the lowest priced car in theFreelander2 in the Indian market will provide a
JLR's India portfolio and is expected to receive anconsiderable reduction in its price in the country.
overwhelming response from the buyers in theAs of now, the Freelander2 model carries a
Indian market. Thus, the company wants tostarting price tag of Rs 33.55 lakh ( Delhi,
roll-out this car in the country as early as possibleex-showroom).