JLR deepens localization efforts in China with new model

British premium carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has launched a long wheelbase Range Rover model in China, as part of its efforts to deepen localization in the world's largest vehicle market.

The Range Rover Evoque L, produced at Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive in East China's Jiangsu province, has a wheelbase 160 mm longer than the standard wheelbase one, offering more legroom for its rear seat passengers.

Chinese vehicle buyers value spaciousness more than customers in Europe and the United States.

Murray Dietsch, president of Chery Jaguar Land Rover, called the model "the most significant creation" of the joint venture so far, adding that it is tailored to suit the discerning Chinese consumers' tastes.

"It is a great car developed for our China market," Dietsch told China Daily.

Wu Yuxin, a research and development executive at the joint venture, said the Chinese team has been fully involved in the entire development cycle of the model, from production definition and design to vehicle development.

The model is produced at the joint venture's plant in Changshu, Jiangsu province. It is JLR's first complete vehicle manufacturing facility outside the United Kingdom.

Put into operation in late 2014, the plant has a total annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles.

Besides the Range Rover Evoque L, the joint venture is producing four other models: the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar XFL, Jaguar XEL and Jaguar E-PACE.

JLR sold 54,669 vehicles in China in the first half of this year, up 52 percent from the same period last year. Around 60 percent of the deliveries were vehicles made in China.