Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 750 new jobs at a new engine plant in the West Midlands, UK.
With an investment of £355 million, the project is set to significantly boost the economy in the local area and support the development of manufacturing and skills in the UK. Further jobs are also expected to be created within the wider supply chain.
The plant will manufacture new four-cylinder, low-emission petrol and diesel engines.
The 120-hectare site in Wolverhampton, known as the i54 site, is within one of the government’s new Enterprise Zones, created to boost local growth and attract new businesses. The government is contributing up to £10 million to the Jaguar Land Rover project.
Commenting, deputy prime minister Nick Clegg said: “Jaguar Land Rover’s decision to build its new engine plant in Wolverhampton is fantastic news. It means over 700 new jobs for local people, an investment of over £300 million in the West Midlands and recognition of the expertise in the British workforce and manufacturing sector.
“Growing our economy has to be the number one priority for Britain, and the government is not sitting on its hands. With initiatives like the Regional Growth Fund, putting up to £10 million into this new plant and Enterprise Zones boosting growth across the country, we’re making the UK a better place to invest and do business.”
Business secretary Vince Cable added: “JLR choosing Wolverhampton for its new engine plant in the face of tough international competition is a tremendous boost for manufacturing in the UK and the West Midlands in particular. This announcement sends out strong signals to potential inward investors across the world and is a huge vote of confidence in our successful automotive sector in the UK and the skills and expertise in our workforce.
“The government’s support for this project shows we are committed to the ongoing success of UK manufacturing and the UK automotive industry, ensuring the UK remains one of the top destinations for inward investment.”
Jaguar Land Rover is owned by Tata Motors. It directly employs more than 18,000 people and supports approximately 130,000 jobs (through direct employment, dealers, suppliers and the broader economy).
Jaguar Land Rover exports currently generate almost £6 billion for the UK economy each year, with 78 per cent of Land Rovers exported to over 160 countries and 70 per cent of Jaguars exported to over 60 countries.
Jaguar’s XF, XK and XJ models are manufactured at the company's Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham; while Land Rover's Defender, Discovery 4, Range Rover Sport and Range Rover models are all built at the Solihull plant. The Land Rover Freelander 2 is built at the Halewood plant in Liverpool.
