Jaguar Will Make the XE In China

2015 Jaguar XE R (Credit: Jaguar )

The XE will be the first Jaguar model to be built in China, kicking off a bold new era for the iconic British car brand. This news was confirmed during an interview Automotive News Europe recently conducted with Jaguar Land Rover fleet direction Ken Forbes. The completely new midsize luxury sedan, which will go up against the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class, will be constructed at the automaker’s brand new factory in Changshu. Two Land Rover models will also be assembled at the site, the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport, which both have high appeal to consumers in the Asian country.

Jaguar has high hopes for the XE and how it will appeal to Chinese car shoppers as well. So far, about 20 percent of all Jaguar Land Rover sales in the country are Jaguar models, with Land Rovers making up the rest. Several company executives have said that the XE will help pave the way for more market penetration in the largest automotive market in the world. The XE should also be a key model in the United States, where the C-Class and 3 Series both perform quite well on a consistent basis.

If all goes well with Jaguar Land Rover’s plan, the Changshu plant will stay pretty busy. The company is in the middle of preparing for a huge model onslaught that will beef up both brand’s model lineups. Success in China will also allow Jaguar to increase efforts to market and sell more vehicles in the United States, which is another key global market.

A new engine plant is under construction in Changshu as well. Once completed, everything in the Jaguar XE could be assembled in China, which will be another first for the brand.