Insider Media Limited

Warwickshire manufacturing giant Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced £2bn-worth of supply contracts to more than 40 companies in the UK for its new Evoque model. The business is set to create thousands of new jobs at the company’s Merseyside site and even more along its supply chain.

Business secretary Vince Cable toured the factory yesterday and met workers and new apprentices before visiting component supplier International Automotive Components, one of the companies awarded a contract by Jaguar Land Rover.

JLR is creating 1,500 apprenticeship places at Halewood to build the Evoque, and it is expected that the new contracts announced by the company will generate a further 5,000 new jobs in the supply chain.

“JLR’s news that it is awarding £2bn worth of contracts to businesses in the UK to supply components for the Evoque shows that the UK automotive supply chain is capable of winning major contracts and creating vital jobs in the UK,” said Cable.

Dr Ralf Speth, JLR’s chief executive, added: “Alongside the 1,500 new jobs created in Halewood to support the launch of the new Evoque, JLR is investing in advanced research, design and technical innovation with key strategic partners which together with today's £2bn of contract announcements will mean the creation of thousands more skilled jobs in the UK automotive supply chain.

“The billions being spent on Evoque is just the start, with 40 significant product actions coming over the next five years.

“This will mean a high level of investment by us in the future and represents a tremendous opportunity for UK suppliers to work in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover to really strengthen the supplier base in this country.”

JLR’s Evoque, which starts production in July, has been backed by a government offer of support of up to £26m. The grant is subject to approval from the European Commission.