Tata Motors owned Jaguar Land Rover has commenced a feasibility study to set up manufacturing operations in India and may choose Pune (Maharashtra) or Sanand (Gujarat) to establish a facility for producing the next generation Defender SUV. The company may also include an engine production unit in the facility. The results of the feasibility study are expected towards the second half of the year 2012.
According to company officials close to the developments, the new plant is likely to be functional by the middle of 2015 if the feasibility studies are favorable. The plant is expected to have a capacity of 30,000-40,000 units annually. Moreover, 60-80 percent of the total production may be exported to overseas markets making the production plant an export hub for the company.
The British brand JLR already has a facility at Chikhale near Pune where the Freelander SUV is being assembled by the company.
