Midlands’ automotive industry is really motoring

The Midlands’ automotive industry is in full throttle. With the likes of Jaguar Land Rover and Aston Martin Lagonda recently acquiring manufacturing sites in the area, the sector is evolving as a key driver for the regional economy.

Jaguar Land Rover has recently started construction of its £355 million new engine plant, at the i54 Business Park near Wolverhampton bringing around 750 jobs to the region. The global car manufacturer is also investing £200m in the expansion of its Castle Bromwich plant to boost the production of the new Jaguar F type model and are rumoured to be acquiring 160,000 sq ft for prototype manufacture.

Specialist super car manufacturer, Aston Martin, has secured an 80,000 sq ft warehouse at Chase Point in Coventry for chassis fabrication for its 4-door Rapide model.

In addition, BMW has today announced it will invest £250m into upgrading its plants in Swindon and Oxford and its Mini engine manufacturing facility at Hams Hall in Coleshill, securing 800 jobs in the Midlands.

Automotive industry success is fuelling the Midlands market by creating an influx of job opportunities in manufacturing and logistics, giving the region a jump-start in the current economic downturn.