8:15 am, January 12, 2015
Jaguar Land Rover today announced it is to create 1,300 new jobs in England as it continues its programme to launch 12 new models this year.
At the Detroit motor show, JLR – the UK’s largest manufacturing investor – confirmed it will add a further new Jaguar model to its product portfolio, a performance crossover, set to go on sale next year.
It will be built at the world-renowned Solihull plant, where the 1,300 jobs will be based.
The British manufacturer has a programme to deliver 12 significant product actions in the next 12 months.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr Ralf Speth said: ‘Today’s announcements demonstrate our commitment to the UK and the advancement of a hi-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.’
To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies, Jaguar Land Rover said it has already invested £1.5bn. The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70-year history and created an impressive ‘factory within a factory’.
Incorporating Europe’s largest aluminum body shop and final assembly hall – collectively the size of 22 football pitches – the new state-of-the-art facilities bring the Jaguar brand to Solihull for the first time.
Jaguar Land Rover is celebrating record full-year retail sales in 2014 of 462,678, double that of 2008. The company’s headcount has increased to 32,000, about 10,000 more than four years ago.
