It is reported that TATA Group owned luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has opened its first assembly plant in India in Pune.

The plant will initially assemble JLR's sport utility vehicle Freelander 2 from completely knocked down kits shipped from the Halewood manufacturing unit in Liverpool in UK.

The Freelander 2, which is offered in two versions TD4 SE Automatic and SD4 HSE Automatic is likely to be priced around INR 400,000 to INR 500,000 lower than the imported ones. Freelander 2 in CKD model will cost INR 3.339 million (ex showroom Mumbai).

Mr Carl Peter Forster CEO & MD of TATA Motors Group said that "Assembling vehicles in India has duty benefits which will be passed on to our customers. Setting up an assembly plant shows Jaguar Land Rover is increasingly becoming a part of India. We have a big commitment to the Indian market."

He said that the Pune unit will initially have 500 employees, without revealing details, including about investment.

Mr Forster said JLR, which was bought by TATA Motors from Ford Motor Co in 2008, is likely to increase localization of vehicles by sourcing parts from vendors in India. He, however, did not reveal the percentage. The company has lined up around 40 new products for launch in Indian in the next five years.

Mr Ralf Speth CEO of JLR said that "We will bring 40 new products, including engines and new vehicles, in five years to India. We see a huge potential in this market."

(Sourced from www.indianexpress.com)