Great news for UK auto manufacturing today as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) revealed it plans to build its first ever sports utility vehicle (SUV) in Solihull, creating 1,300 jobs. The company has been busy getting its Solihull plant ready to make the new car, as part of a £1.5bn investment in upgrading its production facilities.
“Everyone at CJAM is delighted to hear that one of the world’s most prestigious carmakers has elected to build its future in the UK,” says CJAM’s Managing Director, Christine Joyce. “Expanding the country’s manufacturing industry will support the growth of our economy and play a vital role in creating much-needed jobs.”
The new car, known as the Jaguar F-PACE, is based on JLR’s C-X17 concept car, and will go on sale in 2016. With a lightweight aluminium body, the new vehicle has been designed with fuel economy and cutting CO2 emissions in mind, JLR’s UK director told the BBC, explaining that the company spends some £3.5bn annually in developing its products.
According to JLR’s CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, the news reflects the company’s ‘commitment to the UK and the advancement of a high-tech, high-skilled, manufacturing-led economy’. Meanwhile, Business Secretary Vince Cable said that the luxury car firm’s decision to invest in the UK signified that the country’s car manufacturing sector was in good health.
“The UK’s automotive industry is thriving with a new car rolling off the production line every 20 seconds, and increasing levels of investment that’s helping to secure local jobs,” he told the BBC.
JLR already employs 30,500 people in the UK, and has doubled its Solihull workforce over the past three years. The company sold 462,678 vehicles globally in 2014, a rise of 9% versus 2013, with sales in China growing the fastest.
For more news on how CJAM supports the UK’s automotive industry with national marketing campaigns and high profile events, please visit our website.
