SMMT News UK Manufacturing

Major boost for UK car manufacturing as Jaguar Land Rover creates 1,700 Solihull jobs

10 September 2013 #SMMT News #UK Manufacturing

The UK automotive manufacturing industry has received another boost following the announcement of 1,700 new jobs by Jaguar Land Rover at its Solihull plant.

With an investment totalling almost £1.5 billion, the plant will introduce the company’s advanced new aluminium vehicle architecture, which is set to underpin a range of new models for both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

The first of these models will be Jaguar’s much-anticipated new mid-sized saloon, which will enter the market in 2015 with the brand claiming it will break new ground for efficiency and refinement in its sector.

Under the bonnet of the new vehicle will be a brand new engine manufactured at Jaguar Land Rover’s £500 million Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, the first in a range of powerful and economical petrol and diesel engines.

The announcement will also be welcomed by the UK automotive supply chain, in which Jaguar Land Rover will significantly increase spend in order to realise the raft of new vehicles.

Prime Minister David Cameron said, “The creation of 1,700 new jobs from this £1.5 billion investment by Jaguar Land Rover is fantastic news for Solihull and a huge vote of confidence in the UK. This investment will also deliver another 24,000 jobs in the supply chain – on top of the 1.3 million the private sector has already created since 2010.

“Our motoring industry is world class – right out there at the front of the global race – and Jaguar Land Rover is a great example of that British excellence. One vehicle rolls off a production line somewhere in the UK every 20 seconds and the government’s automotive industrial strategy will help to continue this success for years to come.”

The announcement brings the total number of jobs created by Jaguar Land Rover in the last three years to almost 11,000.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The UK automotive industry is in its strongest position for many years; a fact perfectly illustrated by today’s announcement.

“We must ensure that our recent progress in many areas continues so that the industry remains competitive and can thrive at home and abroad. The importance of the UK motor industry to the UK economy should never be taken for granted.”

For more information on UK automotive investments, go to www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/uk-automotive/investment/ and for key facts and figures about the industry, you can download SMMT’s Motor Industry Facts booklet here.

 

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