On Friday we reported that the Japanese car manufacturer Honda was planning on cutting eight hundred jobs at its manufacturing plant in Swindon, but in a complete turn of events it has been reported today that Jaguar Land Rover is actually planning on creating eight hundred new jobs at their manufacturing plant in Solihull. These two events will be of extreme interest to motor traders, as it shows how the popularity of certain makes of vehicles is creating massive changes to the motor trade industry. It also shows how delicate the car market is at the moment, which means that investing in motor trade insurance has never been more important.
Jaguar Land Rover announced the creation of the new jobs after they confirmed record sales of 358,000 units in 2012, which is thirty per cent more than the year before. The Chinese market was the most beneficial to the company, where sales increased by eighty per cent in the past year alone, therefore the company has planned to increase their dealership network in the country by up to thirty per cent during 2013. John Edwards, Jaguar Land Rover’s global brand director said: “I think what the Chinese consumers are after are true British brands with real integrity, and that’s where we have a real opportunity.”
The news that Jaguar Land Rover are planning on introducing more job opportunities in the UK – not just in Solihull but in other parts of the country as well – means that the economy will surely benefit. They have already hired eight thousand people in the last two years, and are planning on opening a new engine factory in Wolverhampton. Business Secretary Vince Cable said on the news: “The company’s investment of £2bn this year and 8,000 jobs over the last two years shows how JLR goes from strength to strength. With support from the government’s regional growth fund, it’s a clear demonstration of where the government working in partnership with the private sector can make a real difference to the UK economy.”
