Jaguar Land Rover plans automotive a factory in Saudi Arabia: Reports

Jaguar Land Rover is planning to set up a new plant in Saudi Arabia, report says that.

The industry minister of the Gulf Kingdom, Tawfig Fawzan Alrabiah, claimed the car giant of the Midlands was making plans for a plant that will manufacture Jaguar as well as Land Rover cars.

JLR still continues to extend its reach, currently setting up a factory in China and also proposal for a manufacturing plant in Brazil.

David Bailey ,an industry expert said investment in Saudi Arabia was doubly rise for JLR – as not only is the Middle East a key export market, it is also crucial for supplies of raw materials.

The Post reported in the year 2012 JLR had signed a letter of intent with the authorities in Saudi Arabia. This official letter would allow the two parties to work on a detailed study for determining the viability of setting up an automotive facility.

The company confirmed about talks at a preliminary stage, although they have identified the opportunities for aluminium production.

Prof Bailey said though reports of investment overseas leads to fears over jobs often in the West Mildands, the growth of JLR was not a threat.

He said: “You could understand why with expansion in China, Brazil and possibly Saudi Arabia, unions are concerned about the UK.

“They are right to ask questions, but this is about the global expansion of the company, which will be in the UK and overseas.

“The company is going to double in size in the new few years, but all of the research and development is still done in the UK.”