Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) announced its plans to build electric cars at its Castle Bromwich plant, Birmingham. To start with the plant will produce an electric version of the Jaguar XJ, the move will secure 2,700 jobs at the plant.
Earlier this year the company had plans to cut 4,500 jobs globally, the majority of these jobs were going to be in the UK. Workers at the plant last month voted in favour of a four day week.
The last of the current model of the XJ will stop being produced on Friday before the company switches to the production of the new model. JLR have not announced when the electric version of the XJ will launch but it will replace petrol and diesel versions which they have been making since 1968.
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Ralf Speth, JLR’s chief executive said: “The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emission vehicles in the UK”.
JLR told Sky News: “We are making this investment because the ongoing Brexit uncertainty has left us with no choice, we had to act, for our employees and our business.
“We are committed to the UK as our home and will fight to stay here but we need the right deal.
“We will continue to work with government to secure a deal that supports business.”
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Today’s announcement is a vote of confidence in the UK automotive industry – protecting thousands of skilled jobs.
“It reflects our determination for the UK to be at the forefront of the development and manufacturing of the next generation of electric vehicles.”
Investment in the UK car industry fell by 47% last year from 2017. A no-deal brexit would mean new tariffs imposed on components as parts moving between the EU and the UK. Factories built 116,035 new vehicles in May, this is 21,239 fewer than a year earlier.
Unite’s assistant general secretary Steve Turner said: “Not only is it a fantastic boost to the UK car industry, but it ensures that Jaguar Land Rover’s Castle Bromwich site remains a powerhouse of the regional economy, providing a living for thousands of workers and supporting many more in the supply chain.
“The government and Theresa May’s replacement as prime minister must make sure it is not the last for the UK’s world-beating car workers and their families.”
