Mumbai: Jaguar Land Rover has said it will start assembling the iconic Range Rover models at the Pune plant in India, marking the first time this process will occur outside of the UK.

Previously, these models were exclusively produced at JLR's UK facility, owned by Tata Motors, and then exported globally.

In a press release the company said, “Range Rover House has arrived in India with an exclusive, modern luxury experience designed to reflect the tastes and desires of the discerning and affluent clientele of the region.”

Range Rover House India is making its debut in the luxurious coastal town of Alibaug, displaying some of the first Range Rover and Range Rover Sport vehicles which will now be produced in India, exclusively for the Indian market.

With sustained client demand in India on the rise for Range Rover’s luxuriously appointed large SUVs, both the elegant Range Rover and the dynamic, modern performance SUV, the Range Rover Sport, will be locally manufactured in Pune, India, for the first time, the company said.

The move will enable the clientele in India to benefit from shorter wait times for Range Rover’s pinnacle vehicles, expanding JLR’s ability to offer a modern luxury client journey.

India will be the first country to locally manufacture Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, which will join Range Rover Velar, Range Rover Evoque, Jaguar F-PACE and Discovery Sport which are already locally manufactured at JLR’s facility in Pune.

The additional production for the Indian market will supplement the global production of Range Rover which remains in Solihull, UK, and has been the manufacturing home of Range Rover since 1970. Solihull will also remain the home for Range Rover’s upcoming fully-electric model, as well as the pinnacle ‘SV’ vehicles.

Lennard Hoornik, Chief Commercial Officer, JLR, said; “Over the last few years, India has witnessed steady and spectacular economic growth and is poised to grow consistently in the near future as well. This growth has resulted in tremendous opportunities to localise product offerings for the discerning Indian clientele.

Local manufacturing of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport in India is the next significant step towards the brand consolidating its position as the most desirable modern luxury SUV family in the country.

“While Range Rover will now be ‘Made in India’ for clients in this market, its exemplary British design remains distinctive and will continue to define the aesthetic grace and technological sophistication that is synonymous to the Range Rover brand.”

Geraldine Ingham, Managing Director of Range Rover, said; “Across the globe, we’re seeing the highest levels of client demand for Range Rover, in our 53-year history.

“This is an unprecedented success story and India is a very important part of it. Retail sales in India, for FY24 alone, have surged by 160%, and locally manufacturing the Range Rover will enable the brand to respond to this growing demand among discerning clients and celebrated personalities across the country.”

Rajan Amba, Managing Director, JLR India, said; “This is a proud moment for all of us in India, as we become the first country to locally manufacture the iconic Range Rover. It is testament to the quality standards we have successfully achieved in local manufacturing in India, that are at par with JLR standards globally.

“Manufacturing the Range Rover family locally will bring together the best of both worlds, as outstanding British design, technology and refinement meets the pride of owning a ‘Made in India’ luxury vehicle.”

With local production, the prices of Range Rovers are anticipated to drop significantly, between 18-22 percent, resulting in a new price range of Rs 1.40 crore to Rs 2.60 crore, depending on the model, reported Moneycontrol.

Tata Group chairman N Chandrasekaran said the manufacturing of Range Rover in India underscores the confidence JLR has in India. "…the Range Rover will be manufactured right here in India is just a super feeling…its a very very special moment and I feel proud," he said, according to Moneycontrol.

He added that Tata Motors anticipates an increase in sales in India in the future.

"We will sell more, I am very confident that it's going to be a great journey from here," he said.

JLR India local manufacturing

In 2011, JLR entered into a contract manufacturing agreement with Tata Motors to establish a manufacturing line for JLR vehicles at the Tata Motors plant in Pune, becoming the first manufacturing facility for JLR outside of the UK. With Freelander being the first car to be built locally in India, the plant in Chakan, Pune has produced 10 JLR cars for India. The manufacturing facility in India has consistently delivered high quality vehicles, always at par with JLR’s quality standards globally.

Range Rover product portfolio in India

The Range Rover family in India includes the New Range Rover (starting at Rs  236 Lakh), Range Rover Sport (starting at Rs  140 Lakh), New Range Rover Velar (starting at Rs  87.90 Lakh), and Range Rover Evoque (starting at Rs  67.90 Lakh), all prices mentioned are ex-showroom in India.

Jaguar Land Rover retailer network in India

Jaguar Land Rover vehicles are available in India in 21 cities, through 25 authorised outlets in Ahmedabad, Aurangabad, Bengaluru (3), Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai (2), Coimbatore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi, Karnal, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Mumbai (2), Noida, Pune, Raipur, Surat and Vijayawada.