JLR to unveil all-electric XJ plans for city plant

LUXURY car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover is reportedly set to announce a major investment in one of its plants in Birmingham.

The site in Castle Bromwich is expected to start producing a new all-electric Jaguar XJ and other electric models.

The investment, if it goes ahead, would represent millions of pounds of fresh capital being ploughed into the north Birmingham plant.

A story in the Sunday Times said the new XJ would be the first of three electric vehicles to be built from a common skeleton at the Jaguar factory, known as the brand’s new “modular longitudinal architecture”.

The report said the new XJ would be capable of travelling almost 300 miles on a single charge and it was due to go on sale in 2020.

Other electric models are also reportedly in the pipeline, including a large SUV and a third unspecified model.

Preparations will start imminently, according to the newspaper, with the Birmingham factory shutting for six weeks so the production line can be retooled. A formal announcement about the plan is due later this week.

The investment comes after staff voted for proposals to work a four-day week.

The ‘yes’ vote was hailed by the trade union Unite as securing the future of the Castle Bromwich plant and paving the way for future investment.

Part of Jaguar Land Rover’s ongoing restructuring plans, the proposal saw workers agree to a fundamental change to the way they work. However, their hours will not be cut and staff will still work a 37-hour week.

It is understood existing models such as the XE, XF and F-Type will continue to be made there, along with the new electric XJ. Although the XJ will initially be all-electric, it is believed hybrid and petrol models will come on stream later.