First Land Rover Discovery Sport leaves Halewood plant

History will be made at Halewood ’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) plant this week when the first Land Rover Discovery Sport rolls off the production line.

The new 4x4 model will replace the Land Rover Freelander 2, which car workers at the Knowsley plant finished building last month.

JLR’s Discovery Sport will now go down the same production line as Halewood’s highly successful Range Rover Evoque, which has proved to be a big seller at home and all over the world.

The production of this latest model has led to 250 more jobs at Halewood, taking its total headcount to 4,750, as part of a £200m investment by JLR to support the new model, which bosses hope will be just as successful as the Evoque.

Plant director Richard Else said: “I am delighted to be welcoming the new Land Rover Discovery Sport to Halewood. “Its arrival has been a further boost to the region and to our committed and loyal workforce who are all passionate ambassadors for this great company.”

JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth said he welcomed the decision to award the new model to Halewood, and Liverpool: “It is totally deserved and strengthens the ‘special relationship’ that bonds Jaguar Land Rover to this great city.”

The new line can make as many as 20 pressings each minute and is the first to be installed in any Jaguar Land Rover factory. Halewood is now working at full 24-hour capacity during the week for the first time in its 50-year history.