Jaguar Land Rover to create 800 new jobs as expansion gathers pace
AUTO manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is set to create 800 new jobs at its Solihull plant to keep pace with global demand.
Reports emerged over the weekend that the production jobs would enable the Land Rover division to meet orders from new markets in China – now the firm’s largest market – Russia and the United States.
The announcement would bear out comments made by JLR Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ralf Speth following publication of the group’s second quarter sales in November when he said: “Jaguar Land Rover has delivered another quarter of positive results against a challenging economic backdrop. We continue to see strong sales across all of our key markets.
“Jaguar Land Rover will continue to invest in its products, plants and will drive further growth by spending in the region of £2bn across the financial year.”
The announcement would also appear to confirm reports that Land Rover is planning a massive expansion that would see production levels virtually double to 600,000 vehicles a year, with a product range being expanded to 16 model variants.
Reports claimed that more than 200 of the 800 new jobs would be attributable to the government’s Regional Growth Fund, which has backed several keys automotive projects including the £125m Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain initiative.
It is claimed the workers y will be taken on on one-year contracts which could be upgraded to full time posts should demand remain strong.
The Lode Lane plant, which currently employs around 6,000 workers, produces the all-new flagship Range Rover plus the Sport variant – a new version of which is likely to be unveiled in the spring, the Land Rover Discovery and the traditional Defender.
The firm’s plant in Halewood, on Merseyside, has seen its own expansion in order to meet demand for the popular Range Rover Evoque, which has been a global phenomenon since its launch almost 18 months ago.
Andy Street, chairman of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The news about the investments and jobs being created at Solihull is a fantastic start to the New Year and is yet another sign of the ongoing success story that is Jaguar Land Rover.
“Particularly pleasing is that the Regional Growth Fund application supported by the GBSLEP is yielding 200 of the new jobs being created as it shows tangible results from this source of funding.
“The GBSLEP will continue to work to support major employers such as Jaguar Land Rover, but also strengthen the supply chain through initiatives such as the £125m Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative.”
The new jobs would be a fillip for the industry coming so soon after the announcement by Honda that it is to shed a similar number of jobs from its operation in Swindon due to declining demand in Europe.
It is also a significant boost for the West Midlands economy, which relies heavily on the success of the automotive industry.
