Jaguar Land Rover has Launched a recruitment drive for 800 new workers at its factory in Solihull, Birmingham following record sales figures in 2012.
It’s a good new story for the British car industry that comes just at the right time, following Honda’s decision to cut 800 jobs at its Swindon factory last week.
The new Solihull workforce recruits will help build the new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport, as well as the Defender and Discovery, as JLR aims even higher in 2013. The good news carry’s on with a statement from JLR’s sales director, Phil Popham “There will be a total of 8 new or refreshed models launched over the next year from both brands.
JLR also announced a £370 million investment programme for its Solihull site, which includes the installation of a new aluminium body shop for the Range Rover.
JLR’s global sales in 2012 totalled 357,773 cars – a 30% increase on 2011. China is now the company’s largest market, with a staggering 70% sales growth. Not far behind are the UK and the US with on year growth of 19% and 11% respectively.
One major highlight of the year was the runaway success of the Range Rover Evoque, which sold and extraordinary 108,598 units in its first full year on sale.
Even sales of the current Range Rover Sport (due to be replaced in a matter of months) were up by 4%, while sales of the Discovery rose by 3%.
Jaguar’s decision to launch smaller engines (including a four-cylinder diesel and a 3.0-litre supercharged petrol), as well as four-wheel drive versions of the XF and XJ in selected left-hand drive markets, looks to have paid off too.
Total Jaguar sales were up by 6% last year, and with the F-Type set to launch in Spring, Jaguar is hoping more success is around the corner.