Jaguar Land Rover has opened its first engine plant outside the UK, picking China for the new facility.

The company already has a joint venture in the country with Chery, and the car maker said the new facility was part of a 10.9bn yuan (£1.2bn) investment partnership with the domestic firm.

“The new engine plant demonstrates JLR’s long-term commitment to the Chinese market, providing customers with an exciting range of vehicles and powertrain options, as well as to its joint venture," the company said in a statement.