Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that the Range Rover Evoque will be built at its new local manufacturing facility in Itatiaia, Brazil. The first locally built Range Rover Evoque is expected to come off the production line in early 2016.

The new factory, which will see a total investment of R$750m (US$369m) by the end of 2020, will supplement UK production and have the capacity to build around 24,000 vehicles annually for the Brazilian market. It will be Jaguar Land Rover’s first wholly-owned manufacturing plant outside of the United Kingdom, according to the company.

Jaguar Land Rover said it is the first British automotive company to invest in a manufacturing factory in Brazil. In the programme’s first phase, the new 60,000 square-meter manufacturing facility in Itatiaia will create employment for 400 people. With construction of the plant nearing completion, Jaguar Land Rover is now installing the manufacturing equipment to support the start of production in early 2016.

As part of its on-going commitment to the Brazilian automotive industry, Jaguar Land Rover said it will be sourcing a range of components from local suppliers, such as Benteler and IAC, as well as importing some parts from its global supply chain. In addition, Jaguar Land Rover is investing in its technical assistance services to help suppliers support increased levels of localisation in the future.

Jaguar Land Rover has had a presence in Brazil for more than 20 years. The company is currently investing in its dealer network and has over 40 dealers throughout Brazil. In December 2014, the company laid its foundation stone of the local plant in Itatiaia, south of Rio de Janeiro State, ready for production to begin in early 2016, according to the automaker.