JLR investment a 'vote of confidence' for region

A business leader has described Land Rover's decision to produce a fully electric model as a "real vote of confidence" for the Midlands.

The vehicle manufacturer made the announcement as part of a major shift in its electrification programme, backed by large‑scale upgrades across its sites.

The move will be supported by new battery and electric drive unit production lines, with training being offered to about 9,000 employees in Solihull and a further 1,500 in Wolverhampton.

"The fact that an anchor institution like Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is making a huge investment of this scale speaks volumes," said Raj Kandola, deputy CEO at Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce.

He added: "It sends a signal out to the wider market that this is a fantastic region where anchor institutions can build new models and can really invest."

JLR's electric propulsion manufacturing centre in Wolverhampton is now producing battery packs and electric drive units alongside internal combustion engines.

The company said it had upskilled 10,500 workers as it pushes ahead with modernisation despite recent financial pressures and planned job cuts.

The launch comes as the Coventry‑based carmaker faces falling profits, supply chain disruption and restructuring following a cyber attack a year ago that cost an estimated £1.9bn, making it the most economically damaging cyber event in UK history, researchers said.

Data gathered by the City of Wolverhampton Council showed 7% of jobs in the city last year were in the manufacturing industry, and it is hoped the announcement could help to boost this.

Kandola added: "The official statistics show the challenges we've got around unemployment and around productivity levels, so there is going to be a lot of work required for JLR to be working with local academic institutions and other providers to ensure that we've got the workforce of the future.

"However, I'm confident we've seen, obviously, this transition start to begin in the plant in Solihull, and if we can replicate that across the wider region, including Wolverhampton, then I think that shows a lot of positive intent."

Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, said: "There is a big focus on our people."

He added: "It's a super special moment for everybody here, and we're also well contributing to the businesses, thousands of suppliers here in the UK, in the West Midlands, but also in Europe overall.

"This is a pivotal moment for us at Range Rover, for JLR, but I'm really convinced also for the West Midlands businesses, for our partners, for our retailers and for the communities.

"This secures jobs and supports the economy, and we are really excited to bring this iconic vehicle to the marketplace and celebrate success together."

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