Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has started construction of its R$750m state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in the state of Rio de Janeiro and confirmed plans to build its first overseas Education Business Partnership Centre there.
Building on the success of the company's education programme in the UK, the new centre will provide a range of classroom activities to help local schoolchildren develop key skills, work awareness and inspire them to pursue rewarding careers at Jaguar Land Rover in the future.
Dr. Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer, said: "Our new facility in Brazil is an important strand of Jaguar Land Rover's long term sustainability. The start of construction today is a significant milestone and represents another step forward in our plans to create a truly global manufacturing footprint.
"The confirmation of Jaguar Land Rover's first overseas Education Business Partnership Centre demonstrates our commitment to developing the skills needed by tomorrow's workforce to create a sustainable premium automotive manufacturing industry in Brazil."
Jaguar Land Rover is the first British automotive company to invest in a manufacturing factory in Brazil. In the programme's first phase, the new 60,000m² manufacturing facility in Itatiaia will employ 400 people and will have an annual capacity of around 24,000 vehicles.
As part of its on-going commitment to the Brazilian automotive industry, Jaguar Land Rover will be sourcing a range of components from local suppliers as well as importing some parts from its global supply chain. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is investing in its technical assistance services to help suppliers support increased levels of localisation in the future.
The new Discovery Sport has been confirmed as one of the vehicles that Jaguar Land Rover plans to build in Brazil, with the first customer cars are expected to drive off the production line in 2016. Since its reveal at the Sao Paulo Motor Show, the Discovery Sport has received a very positive reaction from Brazilian customers.
Jaguar Land Rover works closely with the communities close to its manufacturing facilities around the world and, whilst construction is just beginning in Brazil, Jaguar Land Rover has already forged strong links with the communities in both Itatiaia and nearby Resende.
In addition to the education centre, Jaguar Land Rover has recently launched the first phase of its 'Inspiring Tomorrow's Workforce' training programme in Itatiaia. Working in conjunction with the Brazilian national training provider, SENAI, the programme offers work experience, training and employability qualifications for unemployed 17 - 26 year olds to prepare them for employment in the automotive industry. It is the first training programme of this nature that Jaguar Land Rover has deployed in outside of the UK.
END
