Chris Bryant, President of Chery Jaguar Land Rover, said: "The plant opening marks the completion of our start-up phase of which we are incredibly proud, and now we will continue to build with the same passion and pride, to realise our goal to be the premium automotive manufacturer inspiring excellence in China's automotive industry."

Significant investment has also been committed to training more than 2,000 new people in health and safety standards, process systems and problem-solving, as well as the company's quality-control processes and corporate culture.

The facility in the Jiangsu region, part of the Yangtze River Delta, forms the centrepiece of a joint venture investment that will include the establishment of our Greater China Research and Development Centre and engine manufacturing. Inaugural sales of the China-made Range Rover Evoque are due to begin in early 2015. Further details will be released at the Guangzhou Motor Show later this year.

In a joint statement, Dr Speth and Mr Yin concluded: "We will leverage the complementary strengths of our two businesses to set new standards for manufacturing excellence, quality and sustainability in China. Together, we can look forward to expansion in China with confidence."

Jaguar Land Rover first established a presence in China just over a decade ago and has a long-term commitment to its Chinese customers. Once fully operational, output from the new state-of-the-art facility will include new derivatives and models specially designed for the Chinese market.

The company has developed a compelling CSR programme in China and, earlier this year, created the Jaguar Land Rover Children and Dream Fund, working with the Soong Ching Ling Foundation. Jaguar Land Rover China will invest RMB 50 million over the next three years in an initiative that supports and develops underprivileged young people.

Jaguar Land Rover is committed to inspiring the future generation of Chinese automotive engineers. In the last four years, more than 500 apprentices have graduated from the apprentice training programme in China.

In the last fiscal year, Jaguar Land Rover sold more than 100,000 vehicles in China, making it Jaguar Land Rover's single largest market.

Photo: Jaguar/LandRover

(21 October 2014)