Jaguar XF Sportbrake in British jobs boost

Jaguar is to recruit 1,100 more workers at its Castle Bromwich plant in Birmingham to help build the new XF Sportbrake estate.

The news means Jaguar Land Rover has so far recruited 8,000 new workers in its British plants in two years – after the company reversed a plan to close a plant in the height of the 2008 economic downturn.

New Jaguar XF Sportbrake revealed

Jaguar and Team Sky win Tour de France

Jaguar XF Sportbrake at Motorexpo 2012

Jaguar Land Rover’s turnaround is thanks to some hit new products (such as the Range Rover Evoque), optimisation of the existing model range and expansion in new markets such as China where sales grew 76% last year.

The Jaguar XF Sportbrake estate is the latest in a range of 40 new products or model actions to be rolled out over a five year period – and is a key car in the European premium estate sector: Audi reportedly sells more A6 Avant estate than it does saloons.

Business secretary Vince Cable welcomed the announcement: ”This expansion is a clear demonstration of Jaguar Land Rover’s continuing commitment and investment in the UK.”

The latest recruitment run means Jaguar Land Rover employs nearly 24,000 workers in the UK – plus many tens of thousands more in the supply chain.

The news comes on the day Vince Cable opened the Make it in Great Britain manufacturing showcase event at the London Science Museum. Jaguar Land Rover is a headline supporter of the event, which aims to help young people see the appeal of working in British manufacturing.

Jaguar’s XF Sportbrake announcement comes days after pre-production versions of the car was seen supporting Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins: Jaguar was official automotive supplier of Team Sky.