Two JLR plants to temporarily close from next week due to parts shortages

Car production is to be halted at two Jaguar Land Rover plants from next week due to a shortage of electrical components.

The luxury car maker said work will be suspended at its factories in Halewood, Merseyside, and Castle Bromwich, near Birmingham, from Monday, April 26.

Its Solihull plant in the West Midlands will continue production.

The car giant said its period of non-production would be for a “limited period” and blamed the shortfall of parts on the coronavirus pandemic.

A company statement said: “Like other automotive manufacturers, we are currently experiencing some COVID-19 supply chain disruption, including the global availability of semi-conductors, which is having an impact on our production schedules and our ability to meet global demand for some of our vehicles.

“As a result, we have adjusted production schedules for certain vehicles which means that our Castle Bromwich and Halewood manufacturing plants will be operating a limited period of non-production from Monday 26th April.

“Manufacturing continues at our Solihull plant.

“We are working closely with affected suppliers to resolve the issues and minimise the impact on customer orders wherever possible.”

Thousands of staff will be affected by the shut down at the two plants which make the Jaguar XE and XF executive cars and the F-Type sports car at Castle Bromwich and the Discovery Sport and Range Rover Evoque at Halewood.

The car manufacturer is not alone in its problem with computer chip supply issues.

Japanese car maker Honda is closing its Swindon plant due to lack of components, and French group Renault said its sales were being affected by the semi-conductor issue.