JLR investment to benefit UK automotive supply chain

An announcement by Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) to invest significantly in its manufacturing site in the West Midlands is expected to have significant positive repercussions on the UK automotive supply chain.

The move will see an investment of approaching £1.5 billion and the creation of 1,700 new jobs at JLR’s Solhull plant to support the expansion of its product range.

Dr. Ralf Speth, JLR Chief Executive Officer, announced the major strategy at the Frankfurt Motor Show. "Jaguar Land Rover is a business driven by design, technology and innovation and this investment and level of job creation is yet further evidence of our commitment to advancing the capability of the UK automotive sector and its supply chain,” he said.

JLR says it will employ some of the latest lightweighting technologies in the production and manufacture of its new models. In order to fully realise the potential of this new technology, the company says it will significantly increase its spend with the supply base.

UK Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Jaguar Land Rover has been experiencing great success over the last couple of years but this ground-breaking project takes Jaguar onto the next level.”