Solihull: The Range Rover Electric will be manufactured at JLR’s Solihull plant in the West Midlands, with the launch supported by major investments in electric vehicle production facilities and workforce training.
JLR said it has upskilled 10,500 employees to support electric vehicle manufacturing as the company continues its transformation despite financial pressures and restructuring plans.
Around 9,000 workers in Solihull have received electrification training, while another 1,500 employees across the region have also been trained. The company has introduced new production lines for battery systems and electric drive units as part of the preparations for the new model.
JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton is also producing battery packs and electric drive units alongside components for vehicles powered by internal combustion engines. Martin Limpert, Managing Director of Range Rover, described the electric model as the result of a decade of ‘considered engineering’, highlighting the extensive development behind the brand’s transition to electric mobility.
The launch comes at a challenging period for JLR. The Coventry-based automaker has been dealing with declining profits, supply chain disruption and the financial impact of a cyber attack that halted production for more than a month last year.
The company recently reported profits of $89.1 million (£66 million) in its first quarter, following disruption caused by a fire at a key Norwegian supplier. JLR is also undergoing a restructuring programme, with fewer than 300 roles set to be affected.
Despite the challenges, the company said its new vehicle launches would help position JLR strongly for the future while it continues to navigate geopolitical, inflationary and regulatory pressures facing the automotive industry.
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