Jaguar Land Rover Hits the Brakes on EV Rollout Amid Global Market Turbulence

Image Source : The Financial Express

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has postponed the launch of several key electric vehicles, including the muchanticipated Range Rover Electric and two new Jaguar models, citing extended testing needs and shifting market dynamics.

Key developments:

Deliveries for the Range Rover Electric, initially slated for late 2025, have been pushed to 2026.
Jaguar’s Type 00 GT and another electric model are also facing delays of several months.
These will be JLR’s first fully inhouse electric vehicles, unlike the earlier IPace which was contractmanufactured.

Market headwinds:

JLR reported a 15% drop in Q2 US sales due to tariffrelated export disruptions, though relief from a revised UKUS trade deal has eased pressure.
The UK’s softened zeroemission targets have reduced urgency for nearterm EV launches, following lobbying by automakers including JLR.

Strategic implications:

The company is undergoing a voluntary redundancy scheme affecting 500 managers as part of cost optimization.
Parent Tata Motors is also delaying the commissioning of its UK battery plant under the Agratas brand to late 2027.

Outlook:

JLR remains committed to full electrification by 2030, with flexible architectures to adapt to evolving client and market demands.
Analysts view the delay as a cautious recalibration rather than a retreat, allowing for more rigorous development and strategic alignment.

Sources: Proactive Investors UK, NewsBytes, Autocar UK, Telegraph UK, AM Online, The Hindu Business Line