Land Rover moves Discovery production from Solihull to Slovakia
Iconic off-roader has been manufactured in the Midlands since 1989
Land Rover has announced that it will be moving production of its Discovery SUV from its Solihull plant to one in Slovakia.
The British manufacturer has cited an increased need to make room for the production of ‘next-generation’ vehicles at Solihull as the reason for the transition.
A spokesperson today said: “This significant investment and technology upgrade in Solihull in order to accommodate our next-generation of flagship Land Rover models, and the refit of our Halewood plant for the next Evoque, is proof that we remain committed both to the UK and to transformation and growth.”
However, Land Rover warned that while the decision has been made in order to better equip the company to build future models, that the move could result in some job losses, with a spokesperson saying: “The decision to move the Land Rover Discovery to Slovakia and the potential losses of some agency employed staff in the UK is a tough one but forms part of our long-term manufacturing strategy as we transform our business globally.”
It follows an announcement last month by Land Rover that it would be laying off 1,000 workers at its Solihull plant.
Land Rover had initially stated that production of the Discovery would be split between plants in Solihull and Slovakia, but has instead chosen to move the entirety of the operation to the latter.
It is planning to ensure that all of its vehicles feature some form of electrification by 2020, and plans to invest £4.5bn this current financial year in new vehicles, manufacturing upgrades and technology development.
