Tag Archives: JLR

News

Jaguar Land Rover Builds a Solar Farm the Size of 36 Football Pitches

Jaguar Land Rover has just built something rather outrageous at its Gaydon headquarters. Not another swoopy SUV, not a Range Rover with massage seats for your dog, but a solar farm the size of 36 football pitches. Yes, thirty-six. That’s not just a solar farm; that’s basically a mini-Sun—only flatter, less likely to kill us, and slightly more English.

The new 26-hectare, 18-megawatt installation now hums away on site, quietly producing enough electricity to power a third of JLR’s HQ. That’s where all the designers, engineers and boffins cook up the brand’s next-gen Range Rovers, Defenders and EVs. So the next time a Range Rover turns up with a diamond-quilted interior, just remember: it was probably stitched together under the glow of Gaydon sunshine.

And JLR isn’t stopping there. Up in Wolverhampton, the company’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre is about to get one of the UK’s largest rooftop solar arrays—18,000 panels strong, capable of knocking out 9,500 MWh per year. That’s enough juice to cover about 40% of the site’s needs. Not bad for a factory that spends its life churning out motors to silence V8 nostalgists.

Meanwhile, in Merseyside, things are going continental. Next year, JLR will plonk down 10MW worth of solar car ports and walkways, a sight normally reserved for places with sangria and 320 days of sunshine. In Britain, they’ll mostly be used to keep the rain off your bonnet while sneakily charging your electric Jag.

Andrea Debbane, JLR’s chief sustainability officer, says these projects are “important,” which is corporate speak for “look, we’re actually doing something.” But she’s not wrong: on-site solar reduces grid reliance, tames energy bills, and nudges the firm toward its net zero goal—without waiting for someone else to invent cold fusion.

So there you have it. JLR has gone from building Land Rovers that could conquer deserts, to building solar farms that could probably power them. Football pitches covered in panels may not be as glamorous as a new V12 Jag, but if the future of driving is electric, someone has to keep the lights on. And in Gaydon, they’re doing it with sunshine.

Source: JLR

News

Freelander Returns in 2026 as Plug-In Hybrid SUV Under New Brand Identity

In a bold move to reset its presence in the world’s largest automotive market, JLR (Jaguar Land Rover) has officially announced the revival of the Freelander name — not as a model, but as a standalone brand. Developed in close partnership with China’s Chery Automobile, the new Freelander will debut in 2026 with a plug-in hybrid mid-size SUV, initially targeting Chinese consumers but with eyes set on global expansion.

From Legacy to New Beginnings

The Freelander name carries weight. Originally introduced under the Land Rover marque in 1997, the compact SUV broke ground as the first Land Rover to use a monocoque platform and played a key role in establishing the compact premium SUV segment. Two generations were produced before the model was discontinued in 2015 and replaced by the Discovery Sport.

Now, nearly a decade later, Freelander returns — not as a Land Rover, but as a fresh brand aimed at a different customer base.

“This new Freelander will echo the original spirit of the model, but brought up to date to appeal to discerning, technologically savvy Chinese consumers,” said Qing Pan, head of JLR China, during a recent investor presentation.

Powered by Chery, Styled by JLR

The new Freelander lineup will be underpinned by Chery’s T1X platform, a modular architecture also used by Chery’s own Omoda, Jaecoo, and core Chery-branded models. This “flexible” platform will allow Chery to produce an electrified range, while JLR will take the lead on vehicle design, infusing the Freelander models with premium British styling and strong off-road character.

The first model is described as a mid-size SUV with chunky off-road styling cues paired with a coupé-like silhouette, drawing comparisons to the Porsche Macan. It will feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, catering to China’s rapidly evolving emissions regulations and consumer demand for electrified vehicles.

Strategic Shift in JLR’s China Operations

The Freelander reboot is a strategic play within JLR’s wider plan to revamp its China operations. The Chery-JLR joint venture will replace production of the outgoing China-built Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque, both of which are ending production this year.

Importantly, Freelander will be sold through its own Chery-run dealership network, distinct from JLR’s ‘House of Brands’ strategy, which positions Jaguar, Defender, Discovery, and Range Rover as luxury-focused entities.

This separation reflects the Freelander brand’s different market positioning — targeting mainstream, electrified SUV buyers in China, rather than high-end luxury clientele.

Potential for Global Expansion, With Caveats

While JLR confirms that the Freelander SUV will launch first in China, executives have acknowledged “potential for global expansion.” However, bringing a Chinese-built Freelander to Europe or the UK could complicate matters. It risks cannibalizing sales of upcoming JLR models based on the company’s new Electric Modular Architecture (EMA) platform — including future replacements for the Evoque and Discovery Sport.

As such, no European release has been confirmed, and the business case for launching Freelander outside of China will likely depend on demand, pricing strategy, and how well the model resonates with local buyers.

The resurrection of Freelander as a standalone brand signals a significant pivot for JLR in the electrified SUV space. Backed by Chery’s local manufacturing strength and JLR’s design pedigree, the new Freelander is poised to carve out a unique position in China’s fiercely competitive market.

While nostalgia may drive curiosity, the success of this modern Freelander will depend not on its badge, but on how well it meets the needs of today’s hybrid-hungry, tech-savvy SUV customers — in China and, potentially, around the world.

Source: JLR

News

JLR will compete in the Dakar Rally

Jaguar Land Rover has announced that it is preparing to take part in one of the most famous and difficult rally races in the world, the Dakar Rally. The race has been held since 1979 with several breaks and changes of location, and from 2020 the race moved to Saudi Arabia & Middle East.

This will be the first time that the British brand has taken part in the Dakar Rally, and Jaguar Land Rover has chosen the Defender model. “Our first factory participation in the Dakar means that we are at the beginning of our journey. We are aware of how much we have to learn and achieve before we arrive at the start in 2026, but we are already well on our way and we are looking forward to the adventure,” said JLR’s head of motorsport James Barclay.

“Adventure is in the Defender brand’s DNA, so by partnering with Dakar we are embarking on the ultimate motoring adventure where competitors truly embrace the impossible. Our partnership begins in 2025, when Defender will showcase its capabilities and endurance as the official car of the event, but we also look forward to the entry of the Defender Dakar Team into the competition in 2026,” said Defender brand boss Mark Cameron.

Jaguar Land Rover will debut in 2026 and will be an official sponsor of the competition until 2028. This means that it will use its Defender models as support vehicles, which will be specially designed for the race.

Source: JLR