Jaguar Land Rover begins construction of new design and engineering centre

Jaguar Land Rover Automotive plc, the U.K.'s largest car manufacturer, has announced the start of construction work on a $345 million redevelopment of its design and engineering centre at Gaydon, Warwickshire, in the U.K. The expansion represents the first major construction project at one of the company's non-manufacturing sites in over a decade.

The development is intended to become one of the world's foremost automotive product, engineering and design sites - fitting for a company with ambitious plans for continued global growth. Jaguar Land Rover worked with leading architectural practice Bennetts Associates to design the scheme and has engaged Laing O'Rourke as its construction partner. Laing O'Rourke will develop the site to create a unique landscaped campus comprising new offices and Jaguar and Land Rover design centres.

In recent years Jaguar Land Rover has invested heavily in its U.K. vehicle manufacturing facilities at Castle Bromwich, Halewood and Solihull to support the introduction of all new vehicles such as the Jaguar XE, XF and F-PACE, Range Rover Evoque Convertible and Land Rover Discovery Sport. It has also made significant progress in building its international manufacturing presence over the last year, with a new manufacturing facility under construction in Slovakia and the opening of its plant in Brazil.