Ford and what is now known as Jaguar Land Rover parted ways back in 2008, but it looks like the 2015 Ford F-150 could help open the door to more success for the British automaker here in the U.S. According to Automotive News, JLR CEO Ralf Speth said that JLR is looking to open a production facility here in the U.S., and the F-150’s heavy use of aluminum is expected to improve the supply and quality of the lightweight metal produced domestically. Most Jaguar->ke39 and Land Rover->ke46 models extensively use aluminum for chassis and body components.
This facility would likely produce between 30,000 and 40,000 units annually, and production would be for the local market rather than export. With that in mind, it makes sense that Speth confirmed that a U.S.-built Jaguar or Land Rover would be a “premium crossover.->ke288” There’s been a lot of news out of the JLR camp in regards to such utility vehicles, including the 2016 Discovery Sport, an upcoming convertible version of the Evoque and even Jaguar’s first-ever SUV, the F-Pace.
While Speth did not indicate where JLR is looking to build its new facility, the article suggested that Georgia – the state that recently landed the new North American headquarters of Mercedes-Benz – is currently a frontrunner.
Continue reading to learn more about JLR's plans for a U.S. plant.
Why it matters
Many luxury automakers, including Mercedes-Benz,->ke187 BMW->ke178 and Acura->ke10 have already learned that localized production is a must to grow and compete on a global scale. Jaguar Land Rover has already started producing vehicles in China, and a Brazilian plant is under construction, so a JLR plant in the U.S. is probably still three years away.