Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced a £500 million investment to modernize its Halewood plant in Merseyside, converting it into a key site for electric vehicle production. The upgrade is a critical part of JLR's £15 billion global electrification strategy, first revealed in 2023, which aims to shift its focus toward emission-free vehicles.
The Halewood facility, which has been at the heart of JLR's operations for over two decades, will undergo significant upgrades to accommodate the production of electric versions of popular models such as the Range Rover Evoque and Discovery Sport. Although the company has not disclosed which electric model will be produced first, the transformation will enable Halewood to produce both electric and hybrid vehicles alongside traditional combustion models.
JLR has already invested £250 million into the site, bringing in new production lines, advanced machinery, and digital technologies, while also training its workforce for the shift to electric vehicle manufacturing. The company plans to inject another £250 million in the coming years to complete the overhaul.
The upgrades will introduce cutting-edge robotic systems, a new body shop capable of assembling 500 vehicle bodies per day, and new paint-drying ovens, all aimed at increasing efficiency and production capacity. These improvements are designed to ensure Halewood is fully equipped to meet the rising demand for electric vehicles as the market continues to shift away from fossil fuels.
Barbara Bergmeier, JLR's executive director of industrial operations, emphasized the importance of the project, calling Halewood the company's first "all-electric production facility." She noted that Halewood has long been a cornerstone of JLR’s operations in the north-west of England and will continue to play a pivotal role in its future.
In line with this investment, JLR’s parent company, Tata Motors, is driving forward with its £18 billion Reimagine programme, which aims to transition all JLR vehicles to fully electric by 2030. The move reflects the company’s strong commitment to sustainability and its ambition to lead the automotive industry towards a zero-emission future.
