Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to double the size of its Wolverhampton engine manufacturing centre which opens later this year. The car giant made the announcement at the Geneva Motor Show, saying the expansion is essential to the company’s long-term strategic growth plans.
Sales of the Range Rover Evoque increased in 2012
The state-of-the-art automotive property is the first in JLR’s history to be designed entirely by the company to its own specifications. At 100,000 sq m, the plant will include an engine testing centre alongside manufacturing and assembly facilities and is expected to provide employment for 1,400 workers.
CEO Dr Ralf Speth said; “Not only does it (the plant) bring our engine supply back to our production doorstep, but it gives us significant new resource as we continue to innovate with new products and markets.”
Last year JLR sold 357,773 vehicles, a rise of 30 per cent on 2011. This was largely due to the success of the Range Rover Evoque in China, where sales were up by an incredible 71 per cent. The model also performed well in the UK and other EU countries where sales rose by 19 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
The news has been welcomed by the Unite trade union which lobbied JLR and the previous government to locate its new engine plant in the West Midlands.
General Secretary Len McCluskey said; “This is a massive vote of confidence in the skills of the UK workforce.
“JLR’s investment will generate quality jobs in the West Midlands and is a much-needed shot in the arm for Britain’s struggling manufacturing sector.”
JLR employs 25,000 people globally. 9,000 of these positions have been created over the last two years as the company’s plans for sustainable growth have been rolled out. In the 12 months to March 31 2012, JLR generated a pre-tax profit of £1.5bn from revenues of £13.5bn.
