Engine production hits January record
Auto engine production in the UK hit new records in January, fresh figures reveal.
It will mean a busy time for Jaguar Land Rover's plant on the i54 site in Wolverhampton, which is the UK's busiest and biggest engine factory. It employs more than 1,400 people and made 300,000 of the car company's petrol and diesel Ingenium engines last year.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show engine production in the UK surged by 13.6 per cent in January to set a new record, with 267,060 engines rolling off production lines across the country.
Exports accounted for more than half of that figure, but production for UK car manufacturing was up by a fifth as investment in new plants continued to boost supply.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “It’s great to see UK engine manufacturing start the year with another record performance – a result of massive investment into R&D and plants in recent years.
"However, with the bulk of output ultimately destined for overseas, whether for vehicle assembly in another country or as part of a British-built car, securing a deal that keeps trade flowing freely with our biggest partner, the EU, is now an urgent priority.”
As well as the i54 JLR factory, the region is also home to BMW's Hams Hall engine factory at Coleshill, which employs around 1,000 people.
