JAGUAR Land Rover’s latest sports car – which will bring 2,300 jobs to the region – was given a James Bond-style entrance when it was launched earlier this week.
The Jaguar XE is not only set to create 1,700 jobs at the Lode Lane factory in Solihull, but also a further 600 jobs at JLR’s new Engine Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton.
In addition to these jobs the supply chain is also likely to see an increase in demand as the XE is made as a joint effort from factories across the region.
The new car, which will be the first ever Jaguar to be produced at the Solihull Land Rover plant, was unveiled in a glittering event at Earls Court, which saw performances by Emeli Sande, the Kaiser Chiefs and Eliza Doolittle.
The XE was pictured suspended from the helicopter over famous landmarks of the capital, including Tower Bridge and the London Eye.
Until now only Land Rovers have been built at the Solihull plant – but thanks to a £1.5billion investment the plant can now add this saloon to its production line.
John Lamb, spokesman for Solihull and Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “The launch of any Jaguar is exciting but when it also means securing jobs in the Solihull region it is doubly so.
“While the Solihull site will build the mostly aluminium bodyshell and put the car together, the new engine plant in Wolverhampton will be producing efficient new Ingenium engines – so good news all round for the West Midlands.”
The Jaguar XE, which is set to go on sale in 2015, will be the first aluminium-intensive monocoque product in the segment and is set to be the most advanced, efficient and refined sports sedan in its class.
Jaguar says its new lightweight aluminium-bodied car is the lightest and most aerodynamic it has ever made.
JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth said: “The Jaguar XE is a vehicle at the very heart of the UK’s manufacturing renaissance.
“It combines pre-eminent British design with British engineering in a special car for customers around the world.
“We are pressing ahead with plans to deliver more advanced, technically-sophisticated models in a product offensive over the next five years.”
The Jaguar XE will be the first Jagusr to be built on the Solihull production line. (s)
