JLR pledges 1,300 new jobs as it confirms production of Jaguar Crossover
VEHICLE manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 1,300 new jobs as it continues to accelerate its product development programme.
The announcement comes as the West Midlands-based company revealed sales grew 9% last year – the fifth successive year of growth for the company.
The new jobs will be based at the firm’s Lode Lane site in Solihull and are primarily being created to enable the company to roll out the next model in its Jaguar range, the SUV crossover which has been seen in concept form at various motor shows around the world over the past 12 months.
The new model will be manufactured using the new aluminium bodyshop created at Lode Lane for the production of the new Jaguar XE. The new crossover will feature many of the components used in the XE, which goes on sale in the spring.
Confirmation of the new model has been widely expected for some time now and component suppliers have already begun manufacturing parts for the new vehicle, which is set to go on sale in spring next year.
Speaking at the Detroit motor show, JLR CEO Ralf Speth said: “Today’s announcements once again demonstrate our commitment to the UK and the advancement of a high-tech, high skilled, manufacturing-led economy.
“Jaguar Land Rover is committed to delivering more great products. It is that innovation and relentless quest for new technologies that sets our products apart. We want to offer customers greater choice, with even more exciting vehicles, crafted with that special British flair.
“We want to improve the quality of life for our customers and for our own employees, creating opportunities for more people to be part of the Jaguar Land Rover experience.”
To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies Jaguar Land Rover has already invested £1.5bn. The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70 year history.
The new jobs mean the company’s headcount has increased to 32,000, 10,000 more than were employed just four years ago.
To coincide with the crossover announcement, the company also revealed that it sold 462,678 vehicles around the world last year, a 9% increase on the previous year.
Andy Goss, JLR’s Group Sales Operations Director, said: “Jaguar Land Rover has once again outperformed prior year performance, with retails up across all of our key regions. With 12 significant new product actions planned for 2015 and the introduction of the new Jaguar XE and the Land Rover Discovery Sport, we anticipate retailing over half a million vehicles for the first time in the company’s history.
“2014 has been a year of significant achievements for Jaguar Land Rover, recognised by more than 100 international awards. We aim to make 2015 even better, by creating ever more exciting cars that deliver great customer experiences.”
