Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 1,300 new jobs as it continues to accelerate its expertise in aluminium and lightweight technologies but it could impact on sales of the Evoque.
It is encouraging ex-service personnel with life long injuries in particular to apply. The news comes following confirmation that the UK’s largest manufacturing investor will add a further new Jaguar model to its product portfolio.
The Jaguar performance crossover will be badged F-Pace and will go on sale in 2016, follows the Jaguar XE into the new facilities within the world-renowned Solihull plant.
This latest announcement from the Detroit auto show will see Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull manufacturing plant continue to develop its world-class capability in aluminium vehicle construction for which the company is synonymous. It also marks the start of an incredible year for the British manufacturer who will deliver 12 significant product actions in the next 12 months alone.
To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies Jaguar Land Rover has already invested £1.5bn. The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70-year history and created an impressive ‘factory within a factory’.
It is home to Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and the iconic Defender, although this is going out of production in its present form.
Most recently, the site has welcomed the first Jaguar in its history, with the introduction of the new Jaguar XE, which begins production in the Spring.
Ian Callum, Director of Design, Jaguar, commented: “We received such an overwhelmingly positive response to the C-X17 concept car last year that we just had to make it a reality.
“The Jaguar F-PACE, inspired by the F-TYPE, represents a perfectly judged balance of performance, style and practicality. It offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious luxury interior. The F-PACE is our family sports car.”
Alfa Romeo is finalizing the development of its first SUV as the revival of the sporty brand takes shape,Automotive News Europe reports.
The compact SUV will likely be unveiled in 2016 following a midsize sedan that is slated to premiere this year, but its not clear if it will be a shared platform with Jeep using their all terrain expertise.
