Halewood workforce celebrates first production Land Rover Discovery Sport

Two weeks after making its motor show debut, the first Land Rover Discovery Sport has rolled off the Halewood production line, in the U.K., marking another significant milestone in Jaguar Land Rover's product offensive, which will see the company deliver 50 significant product actions over the next five years. The new Discovery Sport will go on sale in 170 markets in early 2015.

The new Discovery Sport is the first member of the new Discovery family and features 5+2 seating in a footprint no larger than existing five-seat premium SUVs.

The Halewood plant, which is already home to the company's fastest selling model of all time - the Range Rover Evoque - has seen investment in the site more than double and workforce treble over the last four years with 4,750 people now employed at the site.

The Kaikoura Stone HSE Luxury spec vehicle was officially handed over to Stephen Attenborough, Commercial Director, Virgin Galactic, to support Land Rover's long term global partnership with Richard Branson's pioneering commercial spaceline.

Demonstrating a shared vision of pioneering spirit, technological innovation and sense of adventure, the partnership will see this vehicle become part of daily life for the Virgin Galactic team at its Operations base.