JLR Plans to Launch Electric Range Rover Models in India as Imports

Automaker JLR will bring the upcoming electric versions of the Range Rover and the Range Rover Sport to India as completely built units at the start, rather than assembling them locally. The brand currently locally produces the petrol and diesel versions of these two SUVs in India because of their high popularity. Together with the imported Defender, these models drove over 80 percent of the manufacturer's sales in the financial year 2026.

Market Plans

Martin Limpert, the global managing director for Range Rover, stated that the company will test the market first and see how buyers respond before deciding on any local assembly for the electric SUVs. This choice comes even though assembling them in India would not be a major technical challenge, as the electric variants share the same MLA-Flex platform and production line as the standard models. The India-UK free trade agreement also does not offer electric vehicles any tax concessions for the first five years, which could otherwise make local assembly logical.

Powertrain Strategy

JLR is in no rush to change its production approach because it wants to protect its flexible powertrain strategy. Limpert noted that the company does not need to push any single powertrain over another. The brand aims to gauge customer reaction to the electrified SUVs before making any commitments to domestic manufacturing. According to Limpert, buyers will definitely see the new electric models arrive in India during the second half of 2027. Autocar UK reports that the development time for the Range Rover Electric took four years, with JLR designing and making all major electrical drive components in-house.

Context

Automakers often test new technology markets by importing vehicles fully built before investing large sums into local factory lines. This approach allows brands to understand buyer demand and charging infrastructure readiness without taking on immediate manufacturing risks. Importing high-end electric vehicles also helps luxury brands gauge whether local customers are ready to shift away from traditional fuel engines.