JLR announces its fund-injection plans at Geneva Motor Show

Jaguar Land Rover showcased its latest plans for further investment in technology and innovation at the Geneva International Motor Show. Jaguar Land Rover will reinforce its commitment to manufacturing in the UK by increasing the investment in its new Engine Manufacturing Centre to more than £500 million.  In addition, Jaguar Land Rover will invest £2.75 billion in product creation during the year to support its ambitious growth plans that will see the business introduce eight new or refreshed products during the year.

Additional investment in new Engine Manufacturing Centre

Jaguar Land Rover’s new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the UK is essential to support the company’s long-term strategic growth plans and will be the home for a new generation of technologically advanced, lightweight 4-cylinder low emission diesel and petrol engines. Reinforcing Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to manufacturing and innovation in the UK, the company will increase its investment in the facility to in excess of £500 million. This will almost double the number of highly skilled engineering and manufacturing jobs at the plant, taking the total number of people who will be employed at the site to almost 1,400. Speaking at the show, Jaguar Land Rover’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr Speth said: “Jaguar Land Rover’s new Engine Manufacturing Centre in the UK is a clear demonstration of our business strategy guiding our investment plans.”

“Not only does it bring our engine supply back to our production doorstep, but it gives us significant new resource as we continue to innovate with new products and markets.” The new family of engines is currently under development at Jaguar Land Rover’s advanced research and development facility. It will strengthen and expand the company’s engine range supporting future product development plans. Jaguar Land Rover will deliver high performance engines with class-leading levels of refinement and significant reductions in vehicle emissions, allowing it to compete even more effectively and attract new customers globally. The state-of-the-art facility is the first in the company’s history to be entirely designed and specified by Jaguar Land Rover. At almost 100,000 sq m, the plant will include an engine testing centre alongside the manufacturing and assembly halls. The building will meet the highest standards of sustainable production and will feature a variety of energy efficiency technologies. The new Engine Manufacturing Centre will open later this year with the first engines coming off the production line in 2015.

Eight new or refreshed products planned for 2013

Jaguar Land Rover will invest £2.75 billion in product development which will support the launch of eight new innovative products to help achieve its business growth strategy. These include the Jaguar F-TYPE and the introduction of the world’s first nine-speed gearbox in its Land Rover product line-up. 

Dr Ralf Speth added: “Since 2008, we have invested in our business and will continue to do so in order to support our strategy for measured, sustainable growth over the next five years.” Jaguar Land Rover is the UK largest investor in automotive research and development.  Exporting 80% of its vehicles, Jaguar Land Rover’s success has been worth almost £25 billion in export revenues for the UK economy in the last two years.