Jaguar Land Rover has started construction of a new plant in Slovakia, which follows a £1 billion ($1.32 billion) investment.
Located in Nitra, the new 300,000 square meters facility will have an annual production capacity of 150,000 vehicles, and the first cars are expected to roll off the assembly lines in 2018.
“The start of construction in Slovakia today represents the beginning of a new phase in our plan to create a truly global business. The factory will strengthen our international manufacturing capabilities as well as complement our existing facilities in the UK, China, India and Brazil“, said the brand’s Chief Executive Officer, Ralf Speth, who was present at the ceremony along with UK Ambassador Andy Garth and Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico.
Over the next two years, the UK-based company will work with Slovakian organizations in order to create new education programs to inspire the next generation of automotive engineers. The automaker will also introduce programs that will offer training, work experience and employ-ability qualifications for people who are currently unemployed, in order to prepare them for their new roles in the industry.
When it will become fully operational, the facility will employ approximately 2,800 people. Recruitment will commence towards the end of next year.
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