Following the launch of the Jaguar I-Pace, Jaguar Land Rover could create up to 10,000 jobs in the UK for its future range of electric models.
A report from the Financial Times says the British company could build upcoming electric vehicles in the Midlands, despite the I-Pace set to be built in Austria at the Magna Steyr production facility. However, JLR chief executive Ralf Speth says much of the brand’s EV production rests on the UK government investing in infrastructure improvements.
In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover said: “CEO Dr Ralf Speth has confirmed his vision to double the production output of the business, make EVs in the UK and the desire to make the UK a global centre of excellence for battery research and development. However, this is dependent on overcoming infrastructure and capacity issues. We cannot comment on quoted job numbers or a timeframe.”
Speth wants half of all JLR models to offer hybrid or electric versions within five years and solely through the production of the I-Pace and an increase in the exportation of its current models, may double its production figures to one million units by 2020.
“We have a greater ambition. Why should we challenge ourselves to build more than a million cars? If we double the volume of our cars we can double the workforce,” Speth commented.
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