West Midlands Mayor: We'll help Jaguar Land Rover fight back
Jaguar Land Rover is committed to a future in the West Midlands, with the region's Mayor vowing: "We'll lay the foundations to ensure success."
Andy Street was speaking after the first meeting of a region wide task force set up in the wake of JLR's announcement that it was cutting 4,500 jobs worldwide.
The motor giant, which has plants across the West Midlands including one at the i54 in Wolverhampton, has seen profits slump amid trade wars in China, falling diesel vehicle sales and Brexit uncertainty.
The Mayor said "there was a real unity of purpose" at the meeting, which he chaired alongside Business Secretary Greg Clark.
It was attended by JLR bosses including Ralf Speth, West Midlands MPs Jack Dromey, Caroline Spelman, Julian Knight and Jim Cunningham, as well as a representative from Wolverhampton South West MP Eleanor Smith's office.
Trade union officials and town hall bosses, including Wolverhampton Council's managing director Tim Johnson, were also at the event held at the National Automotive Innovation Centre in Warwick.
Mr Street said: "Ralf Speth gave a very informative presentation about JLR's strategy for electrification, and it is clear that our role is about how we support that strategy and ensure it is a success.
"As a region we can play a big role, in terms of Government policy and making sure the skills requirement of the local workforce is there.
"It is important to remember that the future of JLR is secure – they make 550,000 vehicles and are investing in their current West Midlands plants.
"They are committed to the West Midlands. Our task is to lay the foundations to ensure success."
Mr Clark said: "Jaguar Land Rover and its owners have made clear they remain firmly committed to the UK, continuing to invest billions and employing tens of thousands of people."
JLR believes the move towards electric vehicle production is the key part to its future success.
It has announced it will produce the next generation of drive units for electric vehicles will be built at the i54 site, with batteries made at a new site in Hams Hall, Warwickshire.
