Today, SMMT unveiled the second exciting exhibit at its Westminster HQ; the UK-designed, engineered and built, Range Rover Evoque, which goes on sale this week.
The much-anticipated Evoque represents many of the qualities that make the UK automotive industry the globally significant market it is today. Jaguar Land Rover awarded over £2bn in supply contracts to more than 40 UK suppliers that contribute parts to the vehicle. Constructed at Land Rover’s Halewood manufacturing plant in Liverpool, over 50% of parts for Evoque are from UK companies.
Commenting on the new exhibit, Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive said, “The Range Rover Evoque is a perfect example of why the UK is respected around the world for its automotive expertise. The vehicle is designed, engineered and built in the UK, with parts sourced from a significant number of UK suppliers”.
A 3,000-strong assembly team build the new Range Rover for more than 170 countries around the world. Around 75% of production will be exported adding around £2 billion to the UK economy.
The launch of the Range Rover Evoque is just one of 40 new product actions that Jaguar Land Rover will carry out in the next five years in the most ambitious market offensive in the history of its two brands. This product creation programme is supported by annual investment of £1.5 billion in developing new models, engines, technologies and vehicle lines.
Currently Jaguar Land Rover directly employs almost 19,000 people in the UK, and indirectly supports up to 140,000 further jobs through its supply chain, dealer network and associated business operations.
SMMT’s new office is the London heart of the UK motor industry, frequently hosting ministers, government officials, senior industry executives, media and stakeholders for a variety of meetings and events. The reception exhibition space provides a unique opportunity to highlight the breadth and scale of the modern UK automotive industry to visitors and passers-by in a prime, central London location.
Click through to find out more about automotive companies that manufacture in the UK.
To find out more about the Range Rover Evoque go to Land Rover website.
Click through the slideshow below to see all the photos from SMMT’s exhibition space:
