• Sustainable Innovation: JLR is committing £65M to transform its paint facilities, cutting energy use and CO₂ emissions while meeting growing demand for bespoke luxury vehicle personalisation.
• Economic Growth: The expansion will create 120 new jobs in Slovakia and support over 17,000 additional bespoke orders annually.
• Operational Efficiency: Upgraded paint shops in the UK and Slovakia will save thousands of tonnes of CO₂ and millions in energy costs annually.

Luxury automaker JLR is investing £65M to expand and modernise its global paint operations, aligning with its Reimagine strategy to meet net zero goals while responding to soaring demand for personalised luxury vehicles.

Why it matters:

The demand for bespoke paint options on Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models has more than doubled since FY22, with customisations adding an average of £70,000 to the price of Range Rover SVs.

“Paint shops are very energy-intensive, accounting for around 80% of our operational emissions, so they represent our biggest opportunity,” said Andrea Debbane, JLR’s Chief Sustainability Officer.

Castle Bromwich Transformation:

The West Midlands facility will receive £41M, including £26M to install state-of-the-art paint booths by 2025. These booths feature:

• Fully automated spray robots, reducing paint waste by 30% compared to hand painting.
• Energy-efficient technology that significantly cuts water and energy consumption.

This expansion will also enable the introduction of the SV Bespoke Paint service across all JLR brands for the first time, supporting its luxury clients in matching vehicle colours to private jets, yachts, or unique preferences.

Related Article: JLR Embarks on Renewable Energy Journey, Targeting a Greener Future

Nitra’s Universal Paint Line:

A £24M investment at JLR’s Slovakia plant will add a groundbreaking electric paint booth and curing ovens, marking a key step toward zero-carbon operations.

• The upgrades will avoid 500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually, equivalent to 2,200 barrels of oil.
• New heat exchangers and smart oven controls are projected to save 2,250 tonnes of CO₂ yearly and cut operational costs by £750,000.

“By increasing our capacity, we can satisfy growing demand from Range Rover clients and expand this service for other brands,” said a JLR spokesperson.

Looking ahead:

The revamped facilities are expected to support over 17,000 new bespoke orders annually, with the first vehicles from the Nitra plant’s universal paint line debuting in 2026.

JLR’s efforts reflect a broader commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the automotive industry’s most carbon-intensive processes while maintaining its position as a leader in luxury vehicle personalisation.

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