JLR launches recruitment drive to boost Range Rover production

JLR is recruiting 300 new staff members in the West Midlands to support an increase in production of Range Rover models.

Around 100 of the new roles will be for maintenance technicians, to operate and maintain the automated production facilities at JLR's Solihull body shop. The new body shop will support an intended increase in Range Rover and Range Rover Sport production by 30% in future quarters.

These technicians will also be trained to work on an additional new body production system for the new electric Range Rover.

Another 200 technicians and test engineers will be recruited at JLR's Gaydon Engineering Centre and Whitley Powertrain facility, where they will support with testing and development of the car maker's next generation electric vehicles.

Barbara Bergmeier, executive director of industrial operations at JLR, said: ‘’Solihull and Gaydon are at the heart of our global operations and these roles are an opportunity for talented individuals to be part of our transformation to electrification. I am extremely excited to welcome a new cohort of individuals to develop their skills and join our family of proud creators of some of the most desirable modern luxury vehicles.’’

JLR is investing £15bn over five years in its industrial footprint, vehicle programmes, autonomous, AI and digital technologies and people skills.

This includes the transformation of its Solihull, Wolverhampton and Halewood manufacturing facilities to produce electric vehicles.

The next electric vehicles to launch will be the new Range Rover BEV, for which pre-order books open later this year. This will be followed by the first of three electric Jaguars.

Last month, JLR confirmed its plan to build a £4 billion electric vehicle (EV) battery factory in the UK.