Iconic British luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover has announced its plans to manufacture the electric version of its flagship SUV Defender in Slovakia.
This decision marks a significant departure from the traditional manufacturing locations for Jaguar Land Rover, as Slovakia becomes the first country outside the United Kingdom where the company will produce its models.
While Land Rover has been tight-lipped about the specifics of this venture, it has been confirmed that Nitra in Slovakia will be the birthplace of the Defender EV, Bloomberg reported. In addition, the luxury automaker plans to build an electric Range Rover SUV lineup at its British unit.
Nitra already houses the production of internal combustion engine (ICE) versions of the Defender and Discovery SUVs, making it a strategic choice for Land Rover’s electric ambitions.
This move, however, has raised eyebrows in the UK, as the British government had hoped for Jaguar Land Rover to increase its production of electric vehicles within the country, according to the report by Hindustan Times. Instead, the decision to manufacture the electric Defender SUV in Slovakia is seen as a setback for the British government’s plans to boost the domestic electric vehicle industry.
The introduction of the Defender electric SUV aligns with Jaguar Land Rover’s broader strategy to launch up to nine fully electric SUVs by the year 2030. This strategic shift is in response to the United Kingdom’s plans to phase out petrol and diesel cars by 2035, emphasizing the growing importance of electrification in the automotive industry.
The Land Rover Defender, a revered model originally launched in 1948 and rebranded in 1990, has enjoyed enduring popularity over the decades. Notable figures such as the late Queen Elizabeth II and celebrities like Paul McCartney have been proud owners of this iconic SUV. In recent years, the Defender has proven to be a standout model for Jaguar Land Rover, outperforming its classic counterpart’s revenue tenfold in 2015.
Available in three global versions—Defender 90, Defender 110 and the largest, Defender 130, accommodating up to eight passengers—the Defender SUV has also made its mark in international markets. In India, all three models are available for purchase, with prices reaching up to Rs 1.41 crore (ex-showroom).
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