Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) expects to hit annual production of 100,000 cars at its plant located in Slovakia by 2020, the chief executive of the recently opened factory, Alexander Wortberg, stated on Thursday.
The company formally launched its new 1.4 billion euro ($1.6 billion) plant in Nitra, Slovakia, on Thursday after beginning some production last month. The plant was constructed with an initial capacity of 150,000 vehicles.
It will take over production of the automaker’s Discovery model but could house a second model as the British company faces unpredictability over a lack of a deal on Britain’s upcoming exit from the European Union.
Worstberg stated no decision on a second model had been taken yet.
“It is very important for JLR globally that the solution reached between the EU and UK does not result in a hard Brexit,” he informed reporters.
“We’re starting with one model and one shift. We will start hiring for the second shift in November, that will be operational in the second half of next year. Annual capacity of 100,000 cars will be reached in 2020.”