Jaguar Land Rover has revealed its plans to manufacture a range of new electrified vehicles at its manufacturing plant in Castle Bromwich, UK. The announcement is a significant step towards the company’s commitment to offer customers electrified options for all new Jaguar and Land Rover models from 2020. The Jaguar XJ will be the first new electric car to be produced at the plant. The new all-electric model will be created by the same expert team of designers and product development specialists responsible for delivering the world’s first premium electric SUV, and the 2019 World Car of the Year, the Jaguar I-PACE.
The new Battery Assembly Centre at Hams Hall will be operational in 2020. This will be the most innovative and technologically advanced unit in the UK with an installed capacity of 1,50,000 units. Together with the Wolverhampton Engine Manufacturing Centre (EMC), home of Jaguar Land Rover’s global EDU production, these facilities will power the next generation of Jaguar and Land Rover models.
The extensive transformation of Castle Bromwich to become the UK’s first premium electrified vehicle plant will be the most significant in the plant’s history. Later this month, work will begin to commence the installation of all-new facilities and technologies required to support Jaguar Land Rover’s next-generation Modular Longitudinal Architecture (MLA). Designed and engineered in-house, MLA enables flexible production of clean efficient diesel and petrol vehicles alongside full electric and hybrid models.
The latest announcement is the next stage in the execution of Jaguar Land Rover’s electrification strategy. In January, the company confirmed plans to bring battery and Electric Drive Unit (EDU) assembly to the Midlands with investment in new and existing facilities. These investments have been anticipated in the company’s previously communicated capital investment plans.
Speaking on the occasion, Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The future of mobility is electric and, as a visionary British company, we are committed to making our next generation of zero-emission vehicles in the UK. We are co-locating our electric vehicle manufacturer, Electronic Drive Units and battery assembly to create a powerhouse of electrification in the Midlands.”
