Jaguar Land Rover to make 100,000 cars in new Slovakia plant within two years
Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover will be producing 100,000 cars a year in its new Slovakia plant by 2020, factory boss Alexander Wortberg said at the opening today.
The €1.4bn plant (£1.2bn) is taking over production of the company’s Discovery model and has the capacity to make 150,000 vehicles annually.
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Meanwhile, UK car manufacturing has dropped almost 17 per cent year-on-year in September to only 127,000 units, data released today shows.
UK factories have pumped out 1.2m cars so far this year, a 6.6 per cent drop on 2017, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “It has been a turbulent year and the industry needs stability, something which appears elusive given the lack of resolution to Brexit negotiations.
“The UK government has recognised the importance of a deal that maintains free and frictionless trade with the EU, but it is up to all sides to deliver this to safeguard the hundreds of thousands of jobs depending on the sector.
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“Stability is also needed at home and a stronger UK new car market would go a long way to boosting manufacturing output.
“The chancellor’s Budget next week is the perfect opportunity to stimulate the market, sending consumers and businesses the right signals to encourage the purchase of new cars, which would help bolster economic performance as well as delivering environmental goals.”