250 jobs to be created as JLR expands further

JAGUAR LAND ROVER’s special vehicle operations division is to create 250 jobs in the next six months following today’s launch of its technical centre near Coventry.

The car maker has invested £20m in new facilities for its special vehicle operations (SVO) and a further £7.5m in new headquarters for Jaguar Land Rover Classic.

The new Classic headquarters is planned to open early in 2017, and will be based near to the Jaguar Land Rover SVO Technical Centre in Coventry – a £20m hub of specialist vehicle personalisation, assembly and finishing which has now opened.

John Edwards, managing director of JLR’s special operations division, said: “Today we employ just over 1,000 designers, engineers and technicians across four divisions in Special Operations.
 
“The team is energetic, enthusiastic and entrepreneurial. They are the principal reason that we have made a strong start in business since 2014.

“Now we have new facilities, technologies, products and services in place to exceed the demands of our most discerning customers all over the world.”

Since June 2014, SVO has launched the Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7 and the 200mph-capable F-TYPE SVR, as well as the Range Rover Sport SVR and Range Rover SVAutobiography.

More than 3,600 SVO products were sold in the last financial year across both the Jaguar and Land Rover brands.

Jaguar Land Rover Classic is responsible for the launches of continuation editions of the Jaguar Lightweight E-type and forthcoming XKSS, as well as the recent introduction of the Land Rover ‘Reborn’ restoration programme.

It has bought a site near to the Special Vehicle Operations Technical Centre, which will house car sales, restorations, servicing and parts operations.

Tim Hannig, director of Jaguar Land Rover Classic, added: “The development of a new home for Jaguar Land Rover Classic in Coventry is hugely significant for owners and enthusiasts of classic Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles.

“In this fantastic new facility we will offer the opportunity for owners and prospective customers to meet with us, review and select the cars or services that meet their personal requirements and then establish a close relationship with Jaguar Land Rover Classic throughout the purchase process and beyond.”