Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is embarking on a significant milestone with the launch of its first fully electric Range Rover model, which is being manufactured at its Solihull plant in the West Midlands.
The company has revealed that this launch coincides with a substantial transformation of the Solihull manufacturing facility and other sites throughout the West Midlands. This modernisation includes the introduction of new production lines dedicated to battery assembly and electric drive units at Lode Lane.
To support this shift towards electrification, around 9,000 employees in Solihull have undergone upskilling programmes to equip them with the necessary skills. Additionally, a further 1,500 workers across the West Midlands have received specialised training to support the production of electric vehicles.
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JLR’s Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton has also expanded its capabilities. It now produces battery packs and electric drive units alongside the traditional internal combustion engines, allowing for greater flexibility in vehicle assembly.
Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, commented: “Range Rover Electric is the result of a decade of considered engineering and technological development, setting a new benchmark for the original luxury SUV. We took our testing and development programmes even further than originally intended to ensure Range Rover Electric is genuinely the most accomplished Range Rover ever.”
Matt Becker, JLR’s vehicle engineering director, added: “The defining characteristic of Range Rover Electric is its ability to perform across every surface, with effortless comfort and refinement. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure it retains those qualities.”
This shift represents Jaguar Land Rover’s commitment to electrification and sets out an ambitious path for the future of luxury SUVs manufactured in the UK.