Tata Motors To Begin Local Production Of Range Rover Models In India; Prices May Fall 22%

The locally produced Range Rover Sport will be available for delivery in August at a reduced price of Rs 1.4 crore, down from Rs 1.9 crore

JLR India's retail sales surged by 81 per cent last fiscal year, reaching 4,436 units.

Source : Getty

Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will commence local production of its iconic Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models in India. This development marks the first time in the 54-year history of these models that they will be manufactured outside the UK. Previously, the Range Rover models were exclusively produced at JLR's Solihull plant in the UK and exported to 121 markets globally, including India. This strategic shift to localise production aims to enhance the affordability of these luxury SUVs, reducing their prices by about 18-22 per cent.

Tata Group Chairman N Chandrasekaran praised Tata Sons Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata for integrating the JLR brand into the Tata family 15 years ago. "Manufacturing the Range Rover in India is a special moment. It's a proud milestone," he said, expressing confidence in increased domestic sales.

Rajan Amba, JLR India Managing Director, highlighted the significance of this move, stating, "For the first time, Range Rover and Range Rover Sport will be produced in India. This is a huge announcement for us, given their flagship status." He said the potential market expansion due to the lower prices resulting from local assembly, which would take advantage of favourable duty structures.

JLR India's retail sales surged by 81 per cent last fiscal year, reaching 4,436 units. Amba revealed ambitious plans to double this figure within three years, leveraging innovative products and the Tata Group ecosystem. He also announced plans to introduce six new battery electric vehicles in India over the next four years.

The locally produced Range Rover Sport will be available for delivery in August at a reduced price of Rs 1.4 crore, down from Rs 1.9 crore. Similarly, the Range Rover Autobiography version, available from the end of this month, will cost Rs 2.6 crore, compared to the current price of Rs 3.3 crore.

JLR India's Pune facility, which currently assembles Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar F-PACE, and Discovery Sport, will now produce a total of six models. The plant has an installed capacity of approximately 10,000 units per annum.

Lennard Hoornik, JLR Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted India's steady economic growth, which presents significant opportunities for localised product offerings. "Local manufacturing of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport is a crucial step in consolidating our position as a leading modern luxury SUV brand in India," Hoornik said.

Geraldine Ingham, Range Rover MD, noted the surge in retail sales and affirmed that local manufacturing would enable the brand to better meet the growing demand in India.