Land Rover Facilities Expanding in Solihull

Jaguar Land Rover will be expanding facilities at their largest plant in Solihull. The 88,000 square-meter site is projected to take two years to complete, and will be the factory’s largest redevelopment in years.

The expansion was to be expected, as Jaguar Land Rover sales have been extraordinarily over the past year-plus, totaling £1.1 billion in net profits (pre-tax) compared to the previous year’s £14.6 million. The sales figures point to the early popularity of several new vehicle models, like the Range Rover Evoque, already named the 2012 Motor Trend SUV of the Year. The increase in product demand has forced Jaguar Land Rover to ramp up their production capabilities to meet supply.

The construction plan looks to expand and enhance production facilities, warehouses and offices, and develop a new data center, new entrance-way and a new roadway that will run through the Solihull campus. While exact figures are unclear, it is estimated that Jaguar Land Rover has invested “hundreds of millions of pounds” into the project.

Representatives from the local labor force are predictably elated. Des Quinn, regional union officer, had the following comments:

“This is all about the cars being successful – if you need more shifts [to increase production], you need more people. It is all good news. This is going to put them in a position when they are going to be able to build more vehicles than ever. The Land Rover brand goes from strength to strength.

The other aspect is what happens in the supply chain – Midlands manufacturing stands to win.”

Jaguar Land Rover is currently in the process of appealing to residents living close to the construction site. An application for permission will be submitted and construction is slated to begin January 2012 pending approval.