To Infiniti……

Nissan’s luxury vehicle division Infiniti will make vehicles for the European market at the parent company’s plant in Sunderland, United Kingdom, from 2015.

There are reported to be some unique considerations for logistics according to the company. Infiniti will begin production following the completion of a 25,000m2 extension at the Sunderland facility.

The production expansion forms part of a £250m total investment in Sunderland by Infiniti.

Construction will begin over the next few weeks, after planning approval was granted by the City Council on Wednesday 4th September.

Nissan Motor UK Manufacturing Vice-President, Kevin Fitzpatrick, said the expansion reflected a progression in the company’s manufacturing capabilities, which would be experienced throughout the supply chain.

Paul Maddison, General Manager of Alliance Logistics Europe, said work had started on the supply chain considerations the company had to make to bring in more material to what is already the biggest car plant in the UK.

‘The new Infiniti model will have some unique considerations for logistics,’ Maddison said. ‘Sourcing is being decided now, so our solutions are not finalised yet, but we already know there are some unique areas of the supply chain that we need to study in more detail, and a cross functional team is well underway with this now,’ Maddison added.

In 2012, Sunderland made more than 510,000 vehicles, including the Qashqai, Juke and Note models. In April this year, it added production of the 2nd generation Leaf electric vehicle.

Basing Infiniti production for the European market there is the latest step in the success of the plant since it began operations in 1986.

The company said the plant was chosen in recognition of the workforce’s productivity and quality achievements over many years.

Total plant volume stands at almost 7m units. ‘The compact car is crucial for our future growth plans, and the decision to invest and build the vehicle in the UK further underlines our long-term commitment to Europe,’ said Fintan Knight, Vice President at Infiniti Europe.

The new Infiniti model is expected to feature design elements drawn from the Q30 Concept being shown in the Frankfurt Motor Show.

(Source: Automotive Logistics News, 11th September 2013)

Jaguar Land Rover to create 1,700 new UK jobs in major boost for industry

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to create 1,700 new jobs at its plant in the UK.

The car giant’s Indian owner TATA Motors has pledged to invest £1.5bn in a bid to expand its  product range, and in doing so, will provide a big boost to employment opportunities at its main site at Solihull in the West Midlands.

Service firms around the country are also expected to benefit, and the government has welcomed the news as the latest positive step in Britain’s move out of recession.

Unions have welcomed the creation of jobs, and the investment is also a big boost to the UK motor industry which has already seen increased sales this year.

The first model to be added to the carmaker’s range will be a sports saloon car, scheduled to be launched in 2015. A portion of the £1.5bn will also be spent on introducing aluminium chassis technology across the board.

JLR Chief Executive, Dr Ralf Speth, speaking at the Frankfurt Motor Show, said: ‘This announcement signals Jaguar Land Rover’s ambitions to push the boundaries and redefine premium car ownership. At Jaguar Land Rover we place the customer at the
heart of everything we do and the introduction of a world-class, all-new aluminium vehicle architecture means we will be more competitive, flexible and efficient delivering exciting new products for our customers around the world. This investment and level of job creation is yet further evidence of our commitment to advancing the capability of the UK automotive sector and its supply chain.’

The 1,700 new jobs at the Solihull site in the West Midlands will bring the total number of UK manufacturing roles – announced by the firm over the last three years – to almost 11,000.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: ‘Jaguar Land Rover has been experiencing great success over the last couple of years but this ground breaking project takes Jaguar on to the next level. This all-aluminium architecture project typifies the type of innovative and high-value R&D that the UK excels in and government is supporting through the automotive industrial strategy.’

Len McCluskey, leader of the Unite union, said: ‘JLR is a great British success story, and this new investment in jobs and skills ought to maintain its global reputation for world-class vehicles. The UK workforce, with their skills and dedication, are at the heart of this success. This investment is their due reward and we are delighted that JLR has committed further to Britain.’

JLR has three advanced manufacturing facilities in the UK: Solihull and Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands, and Halewood on Merseyside. The company’s Solihull manufacturing facility has been home to Land Rover since production commenced in 1948.

It currently builds the Defender, the Discovery, and the all-new Range Rover and Range Rover Sport. JLR added that it will ‘significantly increase’ spending with its supply base.

(Source: The Independent, 10th September 2013)