C
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) unveiled new details about its North American ambitions on June 17, 2026, as the company outlined plans to significantly grow its US business. The announcement places North America at the center of JLR’s future development strategy, with the region currently accounting for 30 percent of the group’s global sales.
The British automaker has never operated a vehicle manufacturing facility in the United States. To support its expansion plans, JLR is turning to Stellantis, with the two companies having signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding last month that paves the way for future industrial cooperation.
Jaguar Land Rover Places North America at the Heart of Its Growth Strategy
JLR CEO PB Balaji described the scale of the company’s ambitions in a statement released on June 17. “Our aspiration, in the coming years, is to grow our US business to the size of the entire JLR business as it exists today,” Balaji said.
The United States already represents 30 percent of JLR’s global sales. Balaji also stressed the strategic importance of the region, calling North America the company’s biggest market.
“To truly manifest the power of our brands, we will increase our focus on North America, our biggest market,” he said. “The rising demand for luxury products, coupled with the strong preference we see for our brands, signals significant growth potential.”
The executive added that JLR is exploring “new high-potential segments” for the Defender brand in an effort to offer tailored products and experiences to more US customers.
Stellantis Partnership Opens the Door to Defender Production in North America
Because JLR does not have a manufacturing plant in North America, the partnership with Stellantis is expected to play a key role in local vehicle production.
According to Motor1, the first product expected to emerge from the collaboration will be a Defender built in North America. The two companies announced a “non-binding Memorandum of Understanding” in May, marking the beginning of the project.
Land Rover currently produces the Defender 90, Defender 110 and Defender 130 at its factory in Nitra, Slovakia. The company also confirmed that a new Defender model will be launched on its Electrified Modular Architecture (EMA) platform.
That future vehicle will be offered with hybrid and all-electric powertrain options. Both versions are likely to be sold in the United States once Defender production is established in North America.
New Models Planned Across Land Rover and Jaguar Brands
The Defender project is part of a broader product roadmap unveiled by JLR. The company confirmed that future Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models will continue to use the Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA) platform. Those vehicles will be available with mild-hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric powertrains.
According to JLR, its first electric vehicle based on the EMA platform will be revealed later this year. Motor1 noted that this could be the “baby Defender” that has been the subject of rumors for several years.
Elsewhere, Land Rover plans to further develop the Discovery SUV while ensuring it remains true to its established identity. Jaguar, meanwhile, is moving toward a fully electric lineup. The brand’s Type 01, described by the company as a low-slung four-door GT, is scheduled to launch later this year.
A shift in Defender production to the United States would allow Land Rover to avoid the current 15.0 percent tariff applied to vehicles imported from Slovakia, compared with the previous rate of 2.5 percent.
