JLR announce huge UK electrification investment | Industry - Car News Jul 2019

16:30 Friday 05 Jul 2019

In what is a huge boost to the future of the UK car manufacturing industry, Jaguar Land Rover have confirmed that they are to build a range of new electrified models in the Midlands.

The new models will be built in Castle Bromwich as the company moves towards providing electrified options on all new Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles from next year.

Today’s announcement marks the dawn of a new era for the company, as production of the current flagship XJ saloon also ends in readiness for the introduction of an all-new XJ which will come with all-electric power. The new all-electric XJ has been developed by the same engineering team which created the award-winning Jaguar I-PACE, the world’s first premium electric SUV.

The announcement regarding the Castle Bromwich plant follows confirmation earlier in the year that Jaguar Land Rover will be building a new Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Hall, also in the Midlands. Together with the current Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton, the new facility which opens next year heralds a more diverse future for the company in terms of its power portfolio. Castle Bromwich will also undergo extensive refurbishment from the end of this month in readiness for the production of the next generation of Jaguar Land Rover models.

Jaguar Land Rover used the announcement to challenge the Government and industry to bring about giga-scale battery production, and help make the UK a leader in creating smaller, denser, cheaper battery technology. JLR Chief Executive Professor Dr Ralph Speth explained, “Convenience and affordability are the two key enablers to drive the uptake of electric vehicles to the levels that we all need. Charging should be as easy as re-fuelling a conventional vehicle. Affordability will only be achieved if we make batteries here in the UK, close to vehicle production, to avoid the cost and safety risk of importing from abroad. The UK has the raw materials, scientific research in our universities and an existing supplier base to put the UK at the leading edge of mobility and job creation.”