Jaguar Land Rover opens £1bn Slovak plant as Brexit looms

JLR's £1bn manufacturing facility in Slovakia

Jaguar Land Rover has opened a £1bn manufacturing facility in Slovakia as Brexit looms while stressing that its “heart and soul remain firmly anchored in the UK”.

The factory launch comes just weeks after the manufacturing giant warned that tens of thousands of jobs would be put at risk if Brexit caused disruption to its UK manufacturing operations.

Based in Nitra, it is the first time a UK automotive company has opened plant in this country. It will employ 1,500 workers.

The company said: “With the heart and soul of its business in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover’s 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, supported by contract manufacturing in India from 2011 and Austria from 2017.

“The creation of new international factories allows Jaguar Land Rover to offer its customers even more exciting new models, protect against currency fluctuations and support a globally competitive business. ”

JLR emphasises that expanding internationally “enriches and strengthens” its UK business.

Ralf Speth, CEO of JLR, who last month reiterated his warning that a hard Brexit will cost the manufacturer £1.2bn, said: “Today’s opening of our next generation manufacturing plant in Nitra, Slovakia represents the start of a new era in manufacturing for Jaguar Land Rover. It is the latest milestone in our long-term globalisation programme and the culmination of four years planning.

“As with our existing manufacturing facilities located in the UK, China, Brazil, India and Austria, this high-tech plant in Slovakia will complement and support our corporate, R&D and engineering functions headquartered in the UK.”

The new 300,000 sq m facility will have annual capacity of 150,000 vehicles a year.

The first Land Rover Discovery rolled off the production line in September.

Europe has the largest number of Jaguar Land Rover retailers with almost 800 outlets across 42 countries.

Since the beginning of 2018, Jaguar Land Rover has sold more than 94,000 vehicles in Europe.

Close