PM visits West Midlands automotive industries
PM: "Jaguar Land Rover's continued success, and rising exports, demonstrates the strength of the automotive sector in the UK."
External site: Jaguar Land Rover External site: Lear Corporation
The Prime Minister has met the workforce of some of the world’s most successful automotive businesses during a visit to the West Midlands.
David Cameron visited the Solihull plant of Jaguar Land Rover, which covers 300 acres and employs around 6,000 people. As well as meeting apprentices and employees, he was shown the first Range Rover to be exported to India.
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
Jaguar Land Rover’s continued success, and rising exports, demonstrates the strength of the automotive sector in the UK, and the crucial role this industry plays in growing and rebalancing the economy.
Their success, particularly in fast growing markets like China and India, shows that UK manufacturing can compete and thrive on the global stage, and is testament to the excellent and highly skilled work force they have here in Solihull.
This Government is backing business; dealing with the deficit, cutting taxes and investing in exports, enterprise and growth, to ensure the UK is equipped to get on and win in this global race.
Mr Cameron was hosted by Dr Ralf Speth, Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar Land Rover, who said:
We are in the midst of realising ambitious plans for global expansion, building on the success of our committed and talented workforce here in the UK. I am very proud to be able to show some of our innovative engineering to the Prime Minister today at our plant in Solihull.
With over 80% of Jaguar Land Rover’s products exported from the UK, it was also great opportunity for us to show the Prime Minister the very first new Range Rover for an Indian customer, about to be exported to the home country of our parent company Tata Motors.
Earlier, David Cameron paid a visit to Lear Seats in Redditch, who are a leading supplier of seating to the automotive industry. He used the visit to spend time answering questions from factory workers.