New JLR development partnership unveiled
BUSINESS SECRETARY JOINS FORCES WITH MAYOR TO HELP CAR MAKER AND SUPPLIERS
BUSINESS Secretary Greg Clarke is to co-chair a special partnership being set up to help Jaguar Land Rover and its suppliers going forward.
The Jaguar Land Rover Development Partnership will see Mr Clarke join forces with West Midlands Mayor Andy Street.
A first meeting of the new organisation will take place in Birmingham today.
The announcement of the new partnership came after Jaguar Land Rover revealed it is planning to cut 4,500 jobs as part of a £2.5billion cost-saving programme.
The new body will look at ways to ensure Jaguar Land Rover and its suppliers are able to succeed in the UK as the Coventry car maker focuses on electric and self-driving vehicles.
Members of the partnership will include Jaguar Land Rover managers, local MPs, other politicians from the Midlands and the north west, firms in the Jaguar Land Rover supply chain, trade body representatives and trade union officials.
Speaking in the wake of the announcement and the reasons behind setting up the new partnership, Mr Clarke said: “This is a commercial decision for the company but nevertheless it will clearly be a worrying time for Jaguar Land Rover employees and their families.
“Jaguar Land Rover is a much valued British company with a talented and dedicated workforce.
“The Government has, and will continue, to work closely with the business to ensure that it can succeed long into the future as it invests and transitions to autonomous, connected and electric vehicles.”
The footage below shows Business Secretary Greg Clarke speaking about the importance of the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre being built in Coventry
Mr Clarke said Jaguar Land Rover remained committed to the UK and cited ‘good news’ in the shape of Jaguar Land Rover announcing plans to manufacture electric motors at its engine factory in Wolverhampton and batteries at a new factory being built at Hams Hall in north Warwickshire.
“Jaguar Land Rover and its owners have made clear they remain firmly committed to the UK, continuing to invest billions and employing tens of thousands of people,” he said.
“This includes today’s announcement of investment in next generation electric drive units to be produced in Wolverhampton and a new battery assembly centre in Hams Hall.
“Building on last year’s investment in their key plants in Solihull and Halewood to build the nextgeneration of Land Rover models, including electric vehicles.”
Mr Clarke added: “The UK is a world-leader in automotive manufacturing. Through our modern Industrial Strategy, we are building on those world beating strengths and investing in the future to put the UK at the forefront of the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street, co-chair of the Jaguar Land Rover Development Partnership, said: “I am confident Jaguar Land Rover will be a critical part of our region’s future success.
“I know the Tata Group and Jaguar Land Rover are committed to manufacturing in the West Midlands and to developing a new generation of electric and hybrid vehicles.”
He added: “I am working closely with local authorities and the Government to support Jaguar Land Rover as they make the move to making electric and hybrid vehicles.
“We will look closely at the details of today’s announcement and take clear action to support Jaguar Land Rover’s future success.”