Midlands auto manufacturers triumph at Geneva Motor Show

THIS year’s Geneva Motor Show has proved a triumph for Midlands automotive firms with vehicles produced in the region or by firm’s with operations in the region stealing the limelight.

Jaguar Land Rover stole a march on the opposition and set the stakes very high from the outset with the launch of its show-stopping concept for a convertible version of its hugely popular Range Rover Evoque.

As soon as the covers came off there was immediate acclaim for the vehicle, which is claimed to be the world’s first luxury convertible SUV (sports utility vehicle).

JLR says there are no plans to put the vehicle into full production but if the demand is such then it will consider such a move – if the interest expressed during the show is anything to go by then that decision will be a no-brainer for the Solihull bosses.

Such was the acclaim for the Evoque that it stole the thunder from what is arguably a more important venture for the Tata-owned business – the Jaguar XF Sportbrake.

See the Evoque concept in action

Picture Gallery: Midlands automotive firms triumph at Geneva

The estate-version of the award-winning XF saloon, which goes on sale in September, is billed as the most versatile Jaguar ever produced. The vehicle fills a gap in the company’s product portfolio and is likely to challenge the supremacy of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volvo in what is a crowded sector.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s global brand director, told the motor show press conference that the Sportbrake would be just one of six new Jaguar product launches this year as the company looked to expand to meet the growing demand for its products.

Near neighbour Aston Martin did not have any new products to unveil but did give the stunning V12 Zagato its European debut. The £330,000 supercar, which was confirmed for production last summer, has already created a stir and the company has said orders are coming in despite the hefty price tag.

Despite the difficult climate, Aston Martin chief executive Ulrich Bez said the company had also sold out its limited production run of the 77 exclusive 177 two-door coupes. The last one was sold earlier this month to an unnamed customer in England.

Dr Bez said the company was now planning a spectacular showing in 2013 to mark the company’s centenary.

While the 177 is considered exclusive it is nothing compared to the fastest car in the world, the Bugatti Veyron.  

While the 1,001bhp supercar has been around for several years, its latest variants still attracted visitors to its stand and it is encouraging when looking at the £2m price tag to think that some of the components used in its manufacture come from the West Midlands.

Components suppliers from the region contribute to hundreds of those vehicles on display, even if they are not immediately acknowledged.

Birmingham-based GKN Driveline, which specialises in all-wheel-drive technology, is one of the more high profile.

Its systems are used on the new ALL4 drive system used on the new MINI John Cooper Works Countryman, which was one of the stars of the MINI stand.

Malvern manufacturer Morgan Motors showcased its new electric Plus E sportscar concept, which has been developed in collaboration Zytek in Staffordshire and Birmingham’s Radshape.

Tyre manufacturer Goodyear Dunlop, which has operations in Birmingham and Wolverhampton, showcased some of its latest technology, which includes a new noiseless tyre for use by electric vehicles in cities.