Jaguar Land Rover is ploughing an extra £165 million into its new engine plant in the UK, creating an extra 700 jobs. The money will be invested at the motor manufacturer's site in Wolverhampton and means a total of 1,400 workers will be employed there.
The new plant will open later this year and the first engines will roll of the production line in 2015 Credit: Press Association
Chief Executive Officer Dr Ralf Speth said: "Jaguar Land Rover's new engine manufacturing centre in the UK is a clear demonstration of our business strategy guiding our investment plans.
"Not only does it 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."
We are delighted to have reached this milestone, achieved thanks to the understanding and foresight of the Chinese authorities and we want to thank them for recognising the potential of our joint venture in the fast-growing Chinese market.Together, we will now begin working in close collaboration on our partnership plans to harness the capabilities of our respective companies, to produce relevant, advanced models for Chinese consumers.
– A joint statement from Jaguar Land Rover and Chery Automobile Company
An engine production facility as well as a research and development centre will built as part of the venture, with a main manufacturing plant expected by 2014.
The work can go ahead after the Chinese government approved a licence for the new partnership.
The company is looking to expand in the China's booming economy, with sales of Jaguars and Land Rover rising by 80 per cent in China so far this year.
The luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover is to begin manufacturing vehicles in China for the first time.
The company will announce a "milestone" £1 billion deal with Chery Automobile Company and begin the construction of a new plant at Changshu near Shanghai.
Jaguars and Land Rovers will be built at the site along with new branded vehicles aimed at the Chinese market, the company said.
Jaguar Land Rover to create more than 1,100 new jobs
Vehicle company Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is to create more than 1,100 new jobs, it was announced today.
Jaguar Land Rover is to create more than 1,100 new jobs. Credit: Press Association.
The expansion of the workforce at its Castle Bromwich plant in the West Midlands will support the launch of new Jaguar models, including the XF Sportbrake.
Business Secretary Vince Cable hailed the expansion as "fantastic news for Castle Bromwich, while JLR said this was "a very exciting time for Jaguar".
Vince Cable: Jaguar announcement is 'further evidence of strength of sector'
The new jobs created at Halewood will take the workforce to almost 4,500. Credit: ITV News
Jaguar Land Rover will create 1,000 jobs at its factory on Merseyside to support the 'significant demand' for some of its models.
Business Secretary Vince Cable, who met senior management at from the company at the Geneva Show last week welcomed the announcement as "excellent news".
He said: "Today's announcement is further evidence of the strength of the UK automotive sector and will also have a positive impact on growth in local supply chains.
"Figures out today showed that the trade balance was better than expected in January, thanks to strong exports of cars to the US, China and Russia."
CBI: Jaguar jobs 'shot in the arm for UK manufacturing'
Jaguar Land Rover has announced it will create 1,000 new jobs at its Halewood site Credit: Dave Thompson/PA Wire
The CBI has welcomed the announcement by Jaguar Land Rover that it will create 1000 new jobs at its factory in Halewood in Merseyside.
Dr Neil Bentlely, CBI Deputy Director-General said the move was "further evidence of re-balancing across the economy":
“The news that Jaguar Land Rover will be creating a further 1,000 jobs at its Halewood plant is a shot in the arm for UK manufacturing and the automotive industry in particular.
“Jaguar Land Rover continues to be a great British success story, which provides a real boost to its supply chain and the wider economy.”
