JAGUAR Land Rover and Chery Automobile Co. last week formally laid the foundation stone for their new manufacturing facility in China, the two companies said in a statement.

The two carmakers were recently approved by the Chinese government to start a joint venture, and now have a license to manufacture Jaguar Land Rover vehicles and new models for a partnership brand in China.

According to the statement, Jaguar Land Rover and Chery will now accelerate plans to build a joint-venture manufacturing plant in Changshu, near Shanghai, as part of an investment that will also include a new research and development center and engine production facility. The project includes the creation of a new partnership brand to assemble models tailored specifically for the Chinese market, including marketing and distribution.

The companies said that benefits of the joint venture to China include investment, job creation, advanced technology and low carbon solutions. The partenrship will blend the heritage and experience of Jaguar Land Rover with Chery’s knowledge and understanding of Chinese customers, the statement said.

In a press conference held recently in Jiangsu, Dr. Ralf Speth, Jaguar Land Rover’s chief executive, and Yin Tongyao, chairman and chief executive of Chery, said; “We are delighted to have reached this milestone, achieved thanks to the understanding and foresight of the Chinese authorities.

“Together, we will now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers.”

The two executives confirmed that the new equal-partnership company is called Chery Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Co.