The Schoolmistress 2joint venture between Jaguar Land Rover and China’s Chery Automobile laid off about 15-20% of its staff from functions including manufacturing, engineering, and logistics, making it the latest global automaker to reduce its workforce amid growing competition in China. Several employees told Chinese media outlet Meiren Auto that the company had terminated a large number of contracts early this year, and executed cost-saving measures on travel and training. Facing quality issues and slowing demand for its gas- and diesel-powered off-road vehicles, the British carmaker sold around 68,000 vehicles in China last year, falling from a peak of 146,000 units in 2017, according to figures published by the China Passenger Car Association. JLR is not the only overseas automaker feeling the heat as Chinese electric vehicle makers BYD and Li Auto gain momentum at home. Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors on Oct. 24 announced an end to production of its joint plant with Chinese partner GAC. [Meiren Auto, in Chinese]
