Photo: Chris Doane Photography
You are looking at the Discovery Vision Concept, officially presented by Land Rover in April, at the New York Auto Show. Thanks to it, we know what the next Discovery will look like and today, we also have confirmation of its production details.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth officially announced yesterday night that the a new SUV called the Discovery Sport will be assembled at the Halewood factory, near Liverpool.
Currently running 24-hour production, it's one of the busiest factories in Britain, mainly due to the success of Range Rover's baby SUV model, the Evoque. Halewood was established as a Ford Anglia factory in 1963 and eventually, Jaguar got the factory, making the Mondeo-based X-Type model.
In 2005, Land Rover began preparation to take over the facility. Production commenced a year later with the Freelander 2, which is still made there. To this day, Halewood has made about 400,000 units of the Freelander 2. But from our understanding, it will actually be replaced by the Discovery Sport, at least in well developed markets.
There will be two Discovery models, the full-size one with 7 seats and a long wheelbase and the Sport 5-seater, in a similar fashion to how the Range Rover is marketed. The Discovery Sport will be a compact, or C-segment model that competes with stuff like the Nissan Rogue/X-Trail, while the big discovery will be the size of a Nissan Pathfinder.
In preparation for the new model's arrival and an expected rise in demand, the Halewood factory has hired 250 additional workers, increasing the total workforce to 4,750 people. £200 million (€250/ $340 million) has been invested into new technology, including 260 new automated robots taking care of anything from welding to assembly and paint.
As of March 2014, a high-tech Aida servo press for metal stamping is operational, costing £45 million (€56/$78 million), but capable of creating more complex pieces of bodywork.
The company claims this new compact SUV will be "the most versatile and capable vehicle" in its class.
Commenting on the announcement, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr. Ralf Speth, said: “The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the next in a line of exciting new products to come from Jaguar Land Rover. I am delighted that Halewood – and Liverpool – has been selected for this new investment. It is totally deserved, and strengthens the ‘special relationship’ that bonds Jaguar Land Rover to this great city.”
Currently running 24-hour production, it's one of the busiest factories in Britain, mainly due to the success of Range Rover's baby SUV model, the Evoque. Halewood was established as a Ford Anglia factory in 1963 and eventually, Jaguar got the factory, making the Mondeo-based X-Type model.
In 2005, Land Rover began preparation to take over the facility. Production commenced a year later with the Freelander 2, which is still made there. To this day, Halewood has made about 400,000 units of the Freelander 2. But from our understanding, it will actually be replaced by the Discovery Sport, at least in well developed markets.
There will be two Discovery models, the full-size one with 7 seats and a long wheelbase and the Sport 5-seater, in a similar fashion to how the Range Rover is marketed. The Discovery Sport will be a compact, or C-segment model that competes with stuff like the Nissan Rogue/X-Trail, while the big discovery will be the size of a Nissan Pathfinder.
In preparation for the new model's arrival and an expected rise in demand, the Halewood factory has hired 250 additional workers, increasing the total workforce to 4,750 people. £200 million (€250/ $340 million) has been invested into new technology, including 260 new automated robots taking care of anything from welding to assembly and paint.
As of March 2014, a high-tech Aida servo press for metal stamping is operational, costing £45 million (€56/$78 million), but capable of creating more complex pieces of bodywork.
The company claims this new compact SUV will be "the most versatile and capable vehicle" in its class.
Commenting on the announcement, Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr. Ralf Speth, said: “The Land Rover Discovery Sport is the next in a line of exciting new products to come from Jaguar Land Rover. I am delighted that Halewood – and Liverpool – has been selected for this new investment. It is totally deserved, and strengthens the ‘special relationship’ that bonds Jaguar Land Rover to this great city.”
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