JLR to Assemble Range Rover Evoque in China

Tata Motors Ltd.'s Jaguar Land Rover unit confirms that its first Chinese-made SUV will be the company's stylish Range Rover Evoque.

CEO Ralf Speth tells reporters in London that JLR may later add local production of its new compact Land Rover Discovery Sport.

JLR will build the Evoque in Changshu at a factory it opened in April in partnership with Chery Automobile Co. Ltd. The $1.8 billion facility is expected to ramp up production later this year.

The factory has initial capacity to make 130,000 Jaguar cars and Land Rover SUVs annually. The complex will add 4-cylinder-engine production next year.

Land Rover sales in January-August climbed 13% to 250,100 units, about 25% of them in China.