Land Rover creates new jobs

LAND Rover has announced it is to create 275 new jobs at its Solihull plant to capitalise on increasing sales of the iconic off-roader.

The move is a boost for the company, which has recently seen sales of the vehicles rise to record levels.

It is also a shot-in-the-arm for the Lode Lane site which faces an uncertain future following the decision by parent company Tata Motors to announce it intends closing one of its West Midlands manufacturing facilities within the next four years.

In a statement today, the firm said the additional positions were required “to support an increase in demand following the seventh consecutive month of improved sales”.

In March, UK sales were the highest recorded for any month in the company’s 62-year history.

Phil Popham, Land Rover managing director, said: “These additional positions are excellent news for the manufacturing industry in the Midlands.

“It comes as a result of a phenomenal response received from customers and the media to the award winning 2010 model year range, giving Land Rover an incredible start to the year.”

More than 5,000 people work at the Solihull plant. The extra 275 agency positions are required to start immediately to boost the build rate in light of the increased demand for the new vehicle 2010 model year range.

In March 2010, Land Rover sales in the UK were up 67% on the same month last year with more than 11,300 vehicles sold.

As well as the iconic Defender model, the Solihull plant is responsible for manufacturing the company’s acclaimed Discovery 4 which saw sales increase by 58% together with the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models, sales of which rose by 70% and 36% respectively compared to the same period last year.

Land Rover said the Solihull plant was a flexible manufacturing operation with “a commitment to excellent levels of quality”.

“These new positions will support the delivery of more prestigious SUVs to our customers around the world,” added the statement.

Applications for the vacancies are being handled by recruitment firm Manpower.