JLR to Build New Defender Model at Merseyside Plant

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will produce its new Defender model at its plant in Halewood, Merseyside, a move intended to provide a substantial boost to the British car industry.

The Halewood plant, operational since 1962 and employing 3,000 people, will be the site for the new electric Defender variant. JLR has not yet announced a production start date for the model.

Previously, the Defender range was manufactured at JLR's Solihull factory near Birmingham before production shifted to Nitra, Slovakia, in 2019. The Defender is JLR's best-selling vehicle, currently available in diesel, petrol, or plug-in hybrid options.

Propulsion Choices and Market Strategy

The upcoming Defender will offer both fully electric (BEV) and self-charging hybrid (HEV) variants. This decision follows JLR's strategic adjustment last year to scale back its fully electric vehicle plans and increase production of plug-in hybrids in response to market demand. The company has also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining internal combustion engines for its Range Rover, Defender, and Discovery models, while its Jaguar brand will transition to an all-electric lineup.

JLR's Chief Executive Officer, PB Balaji, stated that the company aims to unlock double-digit revenue growth by enhancing its focus on North America, which presents a significant luxury market opportunity. JLR also plans to continue investing in and expanding in emerging markets such as India and the Middle East.

In addition to the new Defender, JLR will also introduce a new hybrid Range Rover built on its scalable platform at the Halewood plant later this year.

This manufacturing decision for the Defender comes at a time when the UK government is reportedly considering relaxing its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, potentially allowing hybrid vehicles to account for a larger portion of sales than initially planned by 2030.