
AI-generated summary
JLR has been modernizing its production and upskilling workers for electric vehicle production while facing financial pressures, supply chain issues, and the aftermath of a cyber attack and a supplier fire that impacted profits.
Range Rover has unveiled its first fully electric model, after a year‑long delay to its planned launch.
The Range Rover Electric, to be built in Solihull, marks a major shift in its electrification programme, backed by large‑scale upgrades across its West Midlands sites.
Parent company JLR said it had up-skilled 10,500 workers for electric production as it pushes ahead with modernisation despite recent financial pressures and planned job cuts.
The launch comes as the Coventry‑based carmaker faces falling profits, supply chain disruption and restructuring following a cyber attack last year.
The company said the launch was being supported by new battery and electric drive unit production lines as well as training around 9,000 employees in Solihull for electrification and a further 1,500 trained across the region.
JLR's Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton is now producing battery packs and electric drive units alongside internal combustion engines.
Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, called the new model the result of a decade of "considered engineering".
JLR's electric roll-out comes after a turbulent year with profits dropping to £66m in the first quarter after a fire at a key Norwegian supplier.
The business is also undergoing restructuring, confirming that fewer than 300 roles will go less than a year after a cyber attack halted production for more than a month.
At the time of the results, the firm said new product launches would leave "JLR in good shape whilst acknowledging the continuing geopolitical, inflationary and regulatory challenges the industry faces".
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
JLR will continue its electric vehicle roll-out with additional models in the coming years.
Likely · Within years
Workforce training and upskilling for electric production will expand beyond the current 10,500 employees.
Possible · Within months

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