Jaguar Land Rover is to create 1300 new jobs at its Solihull plant, where the new F-Pace performance crossover and other all-aluminium models will be constructed.
The roles will focus on "extending our industry-leading expertise in aluminium and lightweight technologies", the company said at the Detroit motor show, where it has confirmed the name of the new Jaguar model, which is set to go into production in 2016.
The F-Pace will be built at Solihull alongside its sister model, the new Jaguar XE, which begins production in the spring. The Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and Land Rover Defender are also made at the site.
The 1300 new posts announced today are in addition to the 1700 created in 2013 for the introduction of the Jaguar XE. The workforce at Solihull has nearly doubled over the past three years, with 9450 currently employed there.
Jaguar Land Rover chief executive, Dr. Ralf Speth, said: “Today’s announcements once again demonstrate our commitment to the UK and the advancement of a high-tech, high skilled, manufacturing-led economy.
“Jaguar Land Rover is committed to delivering more great products. It is that innovation and relentless quest for new technologies that sets our products apart.
"We want to offer customers greater choice, with even more exciting vehicles, crafted with that special British flair. We want to improve the quality of life for our customers and for our own employees, creating opportunities for more people to be part of the Jaguar Land Rover experience.”
Jaguar Land Rover has so far invested £1.5bn in aluminium and lightweight technologies. At Solihull it has built a 'factory within a factory' to deal with the build of the new XE and, subsequently, the F-Pace. The facility incorporates Europe’s largest aluminium body shop and final assembly hall.
Applications for the 1300 new roles are now being accepted and following its commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for former service personnel in the wake of the Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover is welcoming applications from military personnel who are leaving or have left the services.
Jaguar Land Rover enjoyed record full-year sales in 2014. It sold 462,678 vehicles, which is double the company's 2008 sales total and nine per cent up on 2013.
It was the car maker's fifth consecutive year of sales growth, pulling away strongly from the financial crisis it encountered in the wake of the global credit crunch in 2008.
Land Rover sales were 381,108 units in 2014, up nine per cent on 2013. The company said that Range Rover, Range Rover Sport and Evoque sales reached new highs last year.
Jaguar sales rose six per cent, hitting 81,570 vehicles. While the brand says that the F-type "continued to raise brand awareness around the world", the best-selling model was the XF, which saw its best sales performance to date.
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