CAR maker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) confirmed plans to build vehicles in China in a joint venture with Chinese car maker Chery, as reported in the Liverpool Post last week.
In a press conference in China at the weekend, after laying the foundation stone for a new plant at Changhsu, near Shanghai, the two partners said: “Together, we will now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers.”
The plant, worth more than £1bn, will start production in 2014 of JLR models and a domestic brand aimed at the Chinese market.
Construction also includes a research and development unit and a fuel-efficient new engine production plant.
Sales of JLR cars in China have risen 80% in the first 10 months of the year to October.
In the calendar year for 2011 JLR saw sales grow by more than 60%, driven by the Halewood-built Range Rover Evoque model.
Roger Maddison, Unite the Union’s chief automotive sector negotiator, said he sees no short-term impact for Halewood and its 4,500-strong workforce from the Chinese venture, although he said the union would continue to monitor the situation.
