NEWS IN BRIEF Widespread closures and job losses in the automotive sector New Defender 90 delayed
JAGUAR Land Rover and Aston Martin Lagonda were among businesses taking part in an online summit to develop a strategy that could be submitted to the government to halt the onset of job losses.
Organised by the West Midlands TUC and hosted by West Midlands mayor Andy Street, it came as the Unite union said the region had suffered a ‘devastating’ 8000 job cuts by a number of major employers in just one week.
With the furlough scheme set to end in October, and the addition of Brexit tariffs, there are fears more job cuts could be on the way.
In addition, it wants to see a vehicle replacement scheme brought in, with the emphasis on cars that have been built in Britain or have a large amount of Uk-built components.
Shortly after the crisis talks were held, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) announced that the number of cars built in the UK over the past six months slumped to the lowest since 1954, and that 11,349 jobs across the UK were lost in the past six months at carmakers and companies.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “These figures are yet more grim reading for the industry and its workforce, and reveal the difficulties all automotive businesses face as they try to restart while tackling sectorial challenges like no other.
“Recovery is difficult for all companies, but automotive is unique in facing immense technological shifts, business uncertainty and a fundamental change to trading conditions while dealing with coronavirus.”
DUETO the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic to Land Rover’s production plants globally, Defender 90 production has been delayed by more than six months. Originally due to open for orders in February before deliveries started this summer, it is now anticipated Defender 90 will be available to order from early September 2020, and that current prices (£41,155 for the base P300 2.0 300hp petrol model) are indicative only. The longwheelbase Defender 110, which was launched first, is “available to order and collect safely now”, according to the Land Rover UK website.
Why the latest Discovery? For a start, up to seven volunteers can be carried in warmth and total comfort, and with the second and third row seats folded flat can accommodate a stretcher. It is also highly capable in the mountains, too, thanks to Terrain Response 2. In terms of modifications, it has a very comprehensive first aid kit, emergency lights, additional interior lights, rear storage nets and a roof box.
SEMRA team leader Terry Brophy said: “There is no other service available to go up the mountains, but we have the skills, the training and the vehicles to do it. Land Rovers are synonymous with mountain rescue in the UK and Ireland and there’s a reason for that – they are by far the best vehicles available.”
Land Rovers have always been used to help people in distress due to their ‘go anywhere’ capability. So, if you do find yourself walking in the south east Irish mountains and see SEMRA’S Discovery, don’t forget to wave and say thank you. To see the SEMRA team in action during a live training rescue, click here: youtu.be/ jsevd26tidu.