1300 more jobs for Jaguar Land Rover as sales fly high.

• 1,300 new jobs created with further development of lightweight vehicle technologies.
• Breakthrough Jaguar performance crossover to be built at world-leading Solihull plant.
• UK’s leading manufacturing investor set to extend expertise in aluminium as second Jaguar model comes to ‘factory within a factory’.

Jaguar Land Rover has announced plans to create 1,300 new jobs as it continues to accelerate its industry-leading expertise in aluminium and lightweight technologies. The news comes following confirmation that the UK’s largest manufacturing investor will add a further new Jaguar model to its product portfolio. The Jaguar performance crossover, set to go on sale in 2016, follows the Jaguar XE into the new facilities within the world-renowned Solihull plant.

This latest announcement from the Detroit auto show will see Jaguar Land Rover’s Solihull manufacturing plant continue to develop its world-class capability in aluminium vehicle construction for which the company is synonymous. It also marks the start of an incredible year for the British manufacturer who will deliver 12 significant product actions in the next 12 months alone.

Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr. Ralf Speth said: “Today’s announcements once again demonstrate our commitment to the UK and the advancement of a high-tech, high skilled, manufacturing-led economy.  

“Jaguar Land Rover is committed to delivering more great products. It is that innovation and relentless quest for new technologies that sets our products apart. We want to offer customers greater choice, with even more exciting vehicles, crafted with that special British flair. We want to improve the quality of life for our customers and for our own employees, creating opportunities for more people to be part of the Jaguar Land Rover experience.”

To support the introduction of its new aluminium and lightweight technologies Jaguar Land Rover has already invested £1.5bn. 

The new facilities represent the largest single investment in the Solihull plant in its 70 year history and created an impressive ‘factory within a factory’. Incorporating Europe’s largest aluminum body shop and final assembly hall - collectively the size of 22 football pitches, the new state-of-the-art facilities bring the Jaguar brand to Solihull for the first time, and continues to showcase the company’s pioneering leadership in aluminum vehicle construction which dates back to 2003 with the introduction of the seventh generation Jaguar XJ.

As a result of the continued developments at Solihull, Jaguar Land Rover is creating an additional 1,300 new jobs at the site. Applications for the new roles are now being accepted and following its commitment to enhancing employment opportunities for former service personnel in the wake of the Invictus Games, Jaguar Land Rover is welcoming applications from military personnel who are leaving or have left the services.

The expansion of the Solihull site is the outward expression of the continued drive to reinvigorate every aspect of the company. Today, the plant builds world-renowned vehicles such as the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Land Rover Discovery and is home to the iconic Defender. Most recently, the site has welcomed the first Jaguar in its history, with the introduction of the new Jaguar XE, which begins production in the Spring.

Jaguar Land Rover continues on its path of measured and sustainable growth with record full year retail sales in 2014 of 462,678, double that of 2008. A 2014/15 fiscal year investment of £3.75bn in product creation has seen the introduction of a host of new and exciting products and business expansion. The company’s headcount has increased to 32,000, 10,000 more than were employed just four years ago.

Mitsubishi to give away a Mirage at every dealer (for one year only though)

Mitsubishi Motors in the UK has launched a competition today that will see every one of its dealerships give away a brand new Mitsubishi Mirage to a lucky customer for a whole year.

The UK’s fastest growing car brand is running the competition throughout the summer to celebrate the success of the fantastic new super-mini.

Sales of the Mirage, which are already at 1,300 since its launch earlier this year, have given the company a great start to 2013.

And interest in the all-new Mirage, which combines great styling, excellent fuel economy and real-life practicality, is set to continue with the launch of this exciting competition.

Anyone who takes the Mirage for a test drive between 1st July and 30th November this year can enter into a prize draw for a chance to win[1].

Lance Bradley, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors in the UK, said:

“The new Mirage is the perfect car for its time and thanks to this competition people all over the country will be driving away from a Mitsubishi dealership with a vehicle that will be theirs for a whole year.

“The Mirage is a compact family car which delivers comfort, performance, excellent environmental credentials and superb fuel economy.

“The response to the car has already been fantastic and we’re sure this competition will prove popular.”

The light and nimble Mirage is Mitsubishi’s latest model and it has been engineered from the wheels up to offer a winning blend of chic styling, exceptional comfort and low running costs. It boasts exceptional fuel economy across the range of between 65.7 and 68.9mpg (combined). And with CO2 emission levels across the whole line-up equal to or lower than 100g/km, no Vehicle Excise Duty is payable.

New 2008 succeeds before first car is delivered.

• More than 1,300 orders taken for 2008 prior to its arrival in UK showrooms
• Peugeot 2008 Crossover available from £12,995
• Four trim levels offer a wide choice and high specification
• Grip Control available as standard on certain versions
• Today’s the day when one of the most eagerly anticipated new cars of the year officially goes on sale – and it’s already a big hit.

The Peugeot 2008 is a compact crossover like no other, bringing contemporary design, a versatile interior and a new level of sophistication to this expanding sector of the market.

Even before it has arrived in UK showrooms, more than 1,300 orders for the car have been placed. And excitement in the UK reflects what has already taken place in numerous other European countries, where the car has been on sale for just two months. More than 32,000 have been sold, beating all sales objectives.

In the UK 1,323 confirmed orders have been taken for the car, prior to its arrival in Dealer showrooms. Demand is two-thirds diesel with the e-HDi 92 in Allure trim accounting for 20% of orders so far. The e-HDi 115 in Feline trim is the second most popular model. All 1.6 litre petrol and diesel models in Allure and Feline specification come with Peugeot’s unique Grip Control as standard.

Neil Moscrop, Director of Sales for Peugeot UK commented: “We’ve been thrilled with the number of customers who have made a concrete commitment to the 2008. That the two higher-grade trim levels are getting so much attention shows what a fantastic product we’ve got, both in terms of specification and value for money.”

Colour choices are also interesting, with Bianca White taking 36% of orders. Second most popular is Pearl White with 18% take-up. It means that together the two white shades are accounting for more than half of all orders. Cumulus Grey is the third most popular colour, with 14%.

The 2008 marks Peugeot’s debut in the compact crossover arena. Launched at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, it brings a more practical, innovative and family-oriented vehicle to the B-segment by combining the talents of two acclaimed Peugeot vehicles. It blends the versatile design of the 3008 with all the features, performance and low-emission engines of the new 208 supermini.

Peugeot’s on-going new product offensive has generated excellent sales results in the first half of 2013.

Official figures reveal the brand sold an impressive 56,253 new cars in the UK from January to June, compared with 52,482 in the same period last year. This is a rise of more than 7%, with retail sales being the main driver, up 17%.

The growth is due to exceptional demand for models right across the Peugeot range, from the outstanding value of the 107 city car to the recently face-lifted RCZ Sports Coupé. However, key to the rise in sales has been the continuing success of the all-new Peugeot 208 which has been given an extra boost by the arrival of the sophisticated 208 XY and the performance-oriented 208 GTi models.

The practical appeal of the 2008 Crossover, with more than 1,300 advance orders received before the official on sale date of 18th July, means 2013 should be another very successful year for Peugeot.