Contracts have been awarded to more than 270 companies globally following the completion of a global competitive tendering exercise on component sourcing for the vehicle. Of these, 116 are based in the UK and 50 per cent are from the Midlands.

Jaguar Land Rover has created almost 9,000 new jobs in the UK over the last two years, including 2,000 new engineers and 350 to directly support the new F-TYPE. The contracts awarded to support the F-TYPE are expected to create thousands more new skilled jobs across the UK’s automotive supply chain.

Ian Harnett, Jaguar Land Rover’s Purchasing Director said, “As one of the leading investors in automotive research and development in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover generates several billion pounds of economic activity here every year. As today’s announcement demonstrates we are working with world-class suppliers to strengthen the UK automotive supply base and support our ambitious plans for growth in the future.”

Destined for customers around the world, the new Jaguar F-TYPE vehicles were loaded onto a train at the company’s onsite rail facility at Castle Bromwich earlier today. With sales in over 170 countries, Jaguar Land Rover generates export revenues approaching £11 billion each year, making it one of the UK’s largest exporters by value. It anticipates that it will export over 75% of Jaguar F-TYPE vehicles produced. The USA is expected to be the largest market with almost half of all sales, closely followed by the UK and Germany.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar’s Global Brand Director said, “Since we unveiled the car last year, the level of customer interest in the F-TYPE has been unprecedented. It is a very proud moment for us to see some of the very first customer cars leave our Castle Bromwich facility today.”

The Jaguar F-TYPE has been designed, engineered and manufactured in the West Midlands, UK. 

Last month, almost 450 potential customers were given an exclusive insight into the F-TYPE and a behind the scenes tour of the Castle Bromwich factory. Jaguar Land Rover has invested significantly in its Castle Bromwich manufacturing facility to create the fastest and most advanced Jaguar sports car production line for the F-TYPE.

F-TYPE production has been incorporated into the manufacturing operation at Castle Bromwich to maximise capacity, technology and skills at the plant. Jaguar Land Rover has utilised and enhanced the manufacturing techniques and technologies employed for the Jaguar XK production, while introducing new equipment and processes specifically required for the F-TYPE. The all-aluminium construction of the F-TYPE is carried out in Castle Bromwich’s 14,000 square metre body shop which employs manufacturing techniques adapted from the aerospace industry.

This morning, Zara Phillips visited the Royal Windsor Horse Show to announce a new engineering scholarship programme. The Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship will provide a £9,000 bursary to three female students or apprentices who would like to explore a career or further studies in engineering.  In addition the winners will be provided with mentoring support from both Land Rover senior engineers and WISE representatives.

In launching the campaign Zara spoke about how inspiring both her Grandmother and her mother were in encouraging young women to consider a career in engineering. The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth, joined the ATS at her own insistence in 1945, aged 18. Having enlisted as a Subaltern, the Queen progressed by the end of the war to the rank of Junior Commander after completing course No. 1 at the Mechanical Training Centre of the ATS. As part of her training to become a fully qualified driver, the then Princess had to learn how to fix a car, including changing the wheel and basic engine maintenance.

Princess Anne is the patron of WISE which helps organisations to inspire women and girls to pursue science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) as pathways to exciting and fulfilling careers. 

Talking about the campaign, Zara said: “The UK has a rich heritage of women in engineering, encouraged by the success of the ATS. I’m delighted to be supporting the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship which provides young women with the opportunity to progress their career. In the Three Day Eventing world, I compete equally with men and enjoy the challenge. In fact, on the Olympic team there was actually only one man and we all made a great team.  There are equal opportunities for both men and women to succeed in engineering and now is an exciting time to get involved.”

Nicci Cook, Senior HR Manager, from Land Rover said: “Land Rover has a proud tradition of encouraging diversity in the workplace. Engineering is at the very heart of our business and we rely on a broad range of talents to give us a competitive edge and help us move forwards. We hope that the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship will inspire a new generation of women in engineering.”

According to a report published by EngineeringUK, Britain needs to double the number of engineering graduates and triple the number of engineering apprentices by 2020 to meet industry needs. At present, just thirteen per cent of engineering undergraduates are female, a problem Land Rover is determined to address. In addition to the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship, Land Rover already runs specific training schemes to support ambitious female engineers.

The funding for the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship has come from the 2012 MacRobert Award, which was presented to Land Rover for the Range Rover Evoque.  The MacRobert Award is the premier UK award for engineering.  The judges credited the ingenuity of the Land Rover engineers who succeeded in packaging key components under the vehicle floor, “with millimetre accuracy.”

The scholarship is the first key activity to be announced using the funding from the award.  The remainder of the fund will be used to expand Land Rover’s Inspiring Tomorrow’s Engineers 4×4 schools challenge into a global initiative – allowing schools around the world the opportunity to explore engineering as a career option.

Speaking about the Scholarship, WISE Director Helen Wollaston said: “The greatest British brands emerged through creativity, innovation and passion – all qualities which shine through all the female engineers I have met, but at the moment, there are far too few of them. This new scholarship offers a really good start for a young woman entering the engineering profession. The industry needs to attract more female talent; this is a wonderful opportunity to do just that.”

The scholarship has also been welcomed by government.  Minister for Skills, Matthew Hancock MP, said: “Britain needs more engineers from a diverse range of backgrounds to compete effectively in today’s world. The government is delighted that the Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship recognises the key role played by female engineers and hopes that it will encourage more women to pursue a career in this exciting, dynamic industry.”

The Range Rover Evoque WISE Scholarship is open to any woman who has arranged an engineering based apprenticeship or has a confirmed place on a higher education engineering course. For more information and to apply visit www.inspiringtomorrowsengineers.com

The Business Secretary Vince Cable today helped Nissan launch an innovative apprenticeship scheme which, in partnership with West Thames College, will recruit and train the people who will literally shape the future of car design.

On a visit to Nissan’s European design centre in Paddington, London, Dr Cable joined Andy Palmer, Nissan Executive Vice President, in launching the company’s Clay Modelling Apprenticeship Programme – an initiative scheme designed to address a national shortage in skilled sculptors who give form to the vision of car designers.

In collaboration with West Thames College, the National Apprenticeship Service, Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (SEMTA), the Skills Funding Agency, Creative Skills and Edexcel, the scheme is designed to create a pool of talented craftspeople helping to cement the UK’s position at the centre of global vehicle design.

And there could be no more fitting venue than Nissan Design Europe – a hotbed of globally-sourced creative talent – where designers, working in collaboration with clay modelling specialists, have conceived two sector-defining models which are now among the most popular cars on the road: the British-built Nissan Qashqai and Nissan Juke.

While in Paddington, Dr Cable learned first-hand how a national shortage of skilled clay modellers has threatened to undermine the continuing success of Britain’s thriving car design sector. But he also heard how the innovative Clay Modelling Apprenticeship intends to tackle the issue head on.

Dr Cable also met the first three apprentices, Joanna Bond, Robert Bennett and Sanny Kumar, who were selected from more than 900 applicants after undergoing a rigorous boot-camp style recruitment process and are now training in the engineering workshops at West Thames College, preparing for what promises to be a rewarding career at the cutting edge of new car development.

Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President of Nissan, said: “Clay modelling is an integral part of the design process and vital in helping the design team visualise ideas. It’s one thing seeing a design on paper or on a computer screen but the ability to view a model in clay gives designers a real feel for scale and proportion and allows them to fine-tune their visions and realise the stunning cars we see in the metal.

“In recent years though, the industry has seen a shortage of clay modellers because it’s a skill and career opportunity many young people simply haven’t been made aware of and there have been very limited training opportunities.

“This shortage has forced us, and other manufacturers with design operations in the UK, to rely on freelance modellers. This exciting new apprenticeship will lead the way in changing this situation, bringing the skill of clay modelling in-house, developing future generations of talent and further cementing the UK’s position at the centre of global car design.”

Marjorie Semple, Principal of West Thames College said: “We are really excited to be working in partnership with Nissan on this amazing project. This fills a gap in the industry and opens up fantastic opportunities for young people who want to pursue a career in this sector.”  

Apprentice Joanna Bond said: “Clay modelling is a very specialist role and not a job you can just walk into. This Apprenticeship is giving me the opportunity to get my qualifications and go straight into work. It’s giving me all the skills I need to fulfil the role, plus lots more.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Our ambition is that the UK should have a world-class skills base so businesses can compete in a global market. We have almost doubled the number of apprenticeship starts since 2010 to over one million. We have seen strong growth in sectors that are vital to rebalancing our economy, like engineering.

“Now we’re putting employers, like Nissan, in the driving seat through the Employer Ownership Pilot. Companies can address their business needs by designing their own apprenticeships, like this clay modelling scheme which will keep us at the forefront of car design globally.”

“It is very positive that all the UKH2Mobility partners will be joining us in the next phase of the project where they will be joined by Sainsbury’s. Successful commercialisation of the technology will require government to work in strong partnership with industry. Prompt action is needed to ensure the potential benefits are realised by businesses and consumers in the UK and work on the next phase will start straight away.”

The report provides further details and background to the findings published on 4 February 2013. It predicts over one and a half million hydrogen powered vehicles could be on UK roads by 2030.

The UKH2Mobility project – which brings together leading businesses from the automotive, energy, infrastructure and retail sectors with government – produced the report to provide a ‘roadmap’ for the introduction of vehicles and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure in the UK.

Sainsbury’s Head of Fuel, Richard Crampton said, “At Sainsbury’s we are always looking for solutions that reduce our impact on the environment and help our customers to live more sustainably. We currently have 280 filling stations serving customers throughout the UK and believe that exploring greener fuels today is fundamental to the long-term sustainability of our business.

“We look forward to working together with government and the UKH2Mobility partners and to sharing our expertise to help shape this future low carbon solution. The project is also closely aligned to our own stretching target of reducing our operational carbon emissions by 30 per cent absolute by 2020.”

Hyundai Motor Company has strengthened its commitment to a cleaner, low-carbon future by joining the Mayor’s London Hydrogen Partnership (LHP).  Hyundai and LHP representatives, including Deputy Mayor, Kit Malthouse, signed the agreement at the Greater London Authority headquarters in London on April 18.

The LHP has initiated over £50 million worth of hydrogen projects, attracting and rolling-out new hydrogen buses, taxis, scooters, refuelling stations, materials handling vehicles and fuel cell Combined Heat and Power units to London.  Hyundai Motor Company will provide its expertise in fuel cell electric vehicles to LHP, helping to drive development of the infrastructure needed to realise a hydrogen economy.

Deputy Mayor and Chair of the London Hydrogen Partnership, Kit Malthouse said, “Hyundai and members of the London Hydrogen Partnership will develop a plan for fuel cell vehicles, and will plan the hydrogen refuelling station rollout across London. Hyundai will provide invaluable insights and bring global experience to the Mayor’s innovative ‘smart’ low carbon, low emission transport activities.  This partnership will help to continue placing London’s economy at the forefront of science and innovation’’

Tony Whitehorn, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor UK commented,  “Hyundai is proud to be joining the London Hydrogen Partnership, helping to create a future for the capital that’s cleaner and more sustainable.  Hydrogen delivers considerable environmental benefits and we are looking forward to working closely with the other partners of the LHP to drive forward its widespread introduction.

“As the first and currently only manufacturer in the world to series-produce a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle we believe we will play an invaluable role in demonstrating the benefits of this technology.  The availability of the innovative Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell shows that hydrogen is a practical source of clean and sustainable energy.  The fact that this pioneering vehicle is being leased to public and private fleets today will help LHP create investment and employment opportunities as hydrogen infrastructure is developed.”

Earlier this year Hyundai became the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to begin assembly-line production of the zero-emission, hydrogen-powered Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell.  As well as being delivered to public and private fleets around the world, the car is being used by the European Commission-backed Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) to demonstrate the real-world benefits of hydrogen fuel cell technology to members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials and other policymakers.

Ford Bridgend is one of the Ford UK locations benefitting from Ford’s planned £1.5 billion investment announced in 2010 into the research, development and manufacture of low-CO₂ technology for vehicles over a five year period.  Today’s announcement includes Welsh government support of £12 million.

Ford Bridgend produces 2,668 four-cylinder engines each day, with exports to Spain, Sweden, Germany, Russia, Belgium and the US.  This delivers an annual export value of £1.5 billion when combined with other Ford UK operations. Employment at Bridgend will rise to 2,300 this year, the most in its 33-year history.

Welsh government Minister for Economy, Edwina Hart said, “The Welsh government has worked closely with Ford to secure this investment and is delighted to confirm a support package of £12 million towards this exciting programme.  This will help safeguard and create high quality production and engineering jobs in Wales.”

Ford of Britain managing director, Mark Ovenden said, “The Welsh government has greatly assisted in maximising the full potential of Ford’s own investment in Bridgend and we are pleased to meet today with the Welsh First Minister and the Minister for Economy to recognise this successful partnership.”

The Bridgend plant is the long term European production base for the new 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine.  Production will start in 2014 and then ramp up over the following two years to ensure that Bridgend output is maintained at optimum capacity during this period.  It will be built alongside the 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine, which was introduced in 2011.

Fifth Ford EcoBoost engine launched

The new aluminium-block, twin-cam 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine will feature some of the innovative technology introduced on the award-winning 1.0-litre EcoBoost, including an integrated exhaust manifold. The new engine is expected to provide similar horsepower and torque performance to Ford’s current 1.6-litre EcoBoost, while delivering improved fuel economy and lower CO₂ emissions.

The 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine is the first engine from Ford to incorporate a computer-controlled clutch on the belt-driven water pump, which further improves efficiencies by reducing warm-up time. A new water-cooled charge air cooler provides a more efficient air-feed into the engine.  

Ford has sold more than 600,000 EcoBoost-equipped vehicles globally since the range was launched with the 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost in 2009. Ford added the 2.0-litre EcoBoost in 2010; the 1.6-litre EcoBoost followed in 2011; and last year the 1.0-litre EcoBoost was launched, winning the 2012 “International Engine of the Year” award.

The Lotus Evora 414E Range Extender Hybrid was chosen by the Editors of the SAE’s Automotive Engineering International Magazine, for its design and engineering innovation, uniqueness, potential for “real-world” production application, and potential benefit for industry customers and end user.

Kevin Jost, Editorial Director of Automotive Engineering International Magazine said, “The Lotus Evora 414E was chosen for the AEI Tech Award for its unique combination of a multimode virtual seven-speed shift schemel, torque-vectoring stability control, and energy and power management optimization schemes.

Aslam Farikullah, Chief Operating Officer for Group Lotus said, “In one high tech vehicle, the Lotus Evora 414E encompasses all the key areas of Lotus Engineering’s expertise, and doesn’t just demonstrate the high level of technological advancements in our products, but is also relevant to the motor industry and applicable to the long term future of the car. We are delighted that the SAE have recognised this with such an important and prestigious award.”

Every year, the editors of Automotive Engineering International select, from among SAE World Congress exhibitors, the technologies they judge worthy of an AEI SAE 2013 Tech Award. Judging is based on level of design and engineering innovation, uniqueness, potential for “real world” production application, and potential benefit for industry customers and end user. The SAE 2013 World Congress will be held this year from April 16 to 18 in Detroit; and other highlights of the event are viewable online at www.sae.org/mags/aei/saewc.

The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid concept is part of a cutting-edge collaborative R&D project funded by the UK’s Innovation Agency, The Technology Strategy Board, (TSB) and showcases new developments in plug-in, range-extended electric propulsion, new electronic technologies to enhance driver involvement and the adaptability of the Lotus Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA).

The range extended electric drive of the Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors driving each of the rear wheels independently via single speed geartrain, integrated into one common transmission housing, thus enabling torque vectoring for stability control of the vehicle. Electrical power is stored in a lithium polymer battery pack which is optimised for energy density, efficiency and high power demand and mounted in the centre of the vehicle for stability and safety. Additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three- cylinder engine, designed specifically for series hybrid vehicles. The drivetrain is designed to combine astonishing performance with efficient, low emissions driving.

Driver involvement is enhanced by the incorporation of HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and HARMAN, which provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. Integrated with the HALOsonic technology, the Evora 414E Hybrid also showcases a brand new technology from Lotus Engineering, a sports mode that simulates a 7-speed, paddle shift transmission that combines exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car and optimised energy recuperation.

The Evora 414E Hybrid has been designed to highlight Lotus’ innovative electric and hybrid vehicle technology without distracting from the pure sportscar character of the Evora.

• 0-60 mph / 97 km/h in 4.4 seconds
• Total hybrid range of over 300 miles / 483 kilometres
• Eco mode or Sports mode featuring realistic 7 speed paddle shift with energy recuperation
• Next generation of Lotus and HARMAN intelligent pedestrian warning system, integrating the advanced HALOsonic sound synthesis system with video technology
• 304 kW (414 PS/408 hp) of power and 800 Nm (590 lbft) of torque
• Torque vectoring for improved dynamic stability

For further technical information about the Lotus Evora 414E, please visit http://media.lotuscars.com/stories/6465

Bentley Motors today announces that it is installing the UK’s largest roof mounted solar panel system. The installation will be owned and operated by Lightsource Renewable Energy Limited, the UK’s leading solar energy generator.

Over 20,000 solar panels with a capacity of 5MW are being fixed to the roof of Bentley’s factory in Crewe, making use of 3.45 hectares of roof space which would otherwise be unutilised. The array will generate enough energy to power over 1,200 households and is three times more powerful than the current largest roof-mounted system in the UK.  

It is anticipated that at peak generation times, the system will produce up to 40% of Bentley’s energy requirements and reduce CO₂ usage by over 2,500 tonnes per year.  

Michael Straughan, Bentley’s Member of the Board for Manufacturing said, “Unlikely as it may seem, our 1940s plant in Crewe is ideally situated to generate solar power as the “saw tooth” factory roofs are south facing at an angle of 20 degrees.

“We take the sustainability of our products and factory extremely seriously and we are always looking for ways to reduce emissions and improve energy efficiency. The panels will reduce our energy costs and help ensure that our manufacturing operations in Crewe are efficient, sustainable and globally competitive.”

Nick Boyle, CEO of Lightsource, said, “The installation on Bentley’s factory demonstrates the tremendous potential for solar energy in the UK and is a fantastic example of how businesses can gain greater pricing certainty for the future whilst reducing their carbon footprint. It is also remarkable what can be achieved in a short space of time and with no adverse impact on existing business activity.”

With a weekly production of just 20 vehicles in 1913, the business grew rapidly and over the century 11.65 million cars were produced, bearing 13 different British brands and one Japanese. Almost 500, 000 people have worked at the plant in the past 100 years and in the early 1960s numbers peaked at 28,000. Today, Plant Oxford employs 3,700 associates who manufacture up to 900 MINIs every day.

Over the years an array of famous cars were produced including the Morris Minor, the Mini, the Morris Marina, the Princess, the Austin Maestro and today’s MINI. At various  stages in its history,  the plant  also built Tiger Moth aircraft, ambulances, parachutes and iron lungs.

William Morris, later Lord Nuffield, was one  of the  country’s most  generous philanthropists and could be considered as the Bill Gates of his time donating gifts estimated to be the equivalent of £11 billion at today’s  values.  He manufactured iron lungs at the plant and donated them to local hospitals, and he founded Nuffield Health, Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust and Nuffield College at Oxford University.

Today’s celebrations at MINI are not just an occasion to look back with nostalgia on past achievements, but an opportunity  to recognise the vitally important contribution that manufacturing will continue to make to the UK’s economic future.”

The Oxford plant has a long history of export success and generated many billions of pounds in exports revenues for the UK with Morris products accounting for nearly 30 per cent  of the  nation’s total  exports by the mid 1930s. Plant Oxford’s export record is equally  impressive today with no less than 1.7 million MINIs having been exported to over 100 countries since 2001 and the plans for the future are for further expansion.

Harald Krueger said, “We have  ambitious growth plans  for MINI and are now preparing for the launch of the next generation of the MINI family. We will grow the model range in the coming years and our volume expectations in the medium term will see MINI reaching well beyond the current 300,000 annual car sales  worldwide.”

Nissan is today celebrating the dawn of a bold new era in European car manufacturing with the official start of production of the new and improved, 100% electric Nissan LEAF.

This new Nissan LEAF, incorporating more than 100 updates, is now rolling off the line at the company’s record-breaking Sunderland Plant, using advanced lithium-ion batteries manufactured in Nissan’s new UK Battery Plant.

Today marks the culmination of four years of preparation at the plant and a previously announced £420m investment by Nissan. Together the Battery Plant and Nissan LEAF production are supporting jobs for more than 2,000 people in the UK car industry, including more than 500 directly at Nissan.

Nissan’s continuing innovation means the world’s best-selling electric vehicle is now even better. The new LEAF for 2013 has more than 100 updates aimed at making Nissan’s zero-emissions technology accessible to even more European drivers, including an increased driving range of 199km (124 miles) and the ability to recharge in half the time of the first-generation LEAF.

UK Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron said: “Nissan’s record breaking year last year is a success story for UK volume car manufacturing and demonstrates how our automotive industry is competing and thriving in the global race. I warmly welcome the production of the new electric LEAF model and battery plant at Sunderland. This £420 million investment, backed by Government, is supporting over 2,000 jobs in our automotive sector including more than 500 at Nissan in Sunderland, helping people in the area who want to work hard and get on.

“The Government has committed £400 million to make the UK a leading market for ultra low carbon vehicles. Nissan’s announcement shows the confidence the company has in the skills-base and the business environment in the UK and that the UK is open for business.”

This historic launch event comes as Nissan Sunderland Plant celebrates making more than seven million units since its opening in 1986. Last year it produced 510,572 vehicles and so became the first UK car factory ever to make more than half a million cars in one year.

Nissan’s Executive Vice President Andy Palmer celebrated the official start of electric vehicle production with the 6,100 staff now employed on site. “Today’s announcement progresses Nissan’s unwavering commitment to zero emissions motoring.

“The Nissan LEAF is our most technically advanced car yet and the launch of this new model, built along with its batteries in Sunderland, is a huge boost not only for the plant but for British manufacturing. We have been showing that you can operate a world-beating plant in the UK for almost 30 years and the construction of the Battery Plant is a vote of confidence in the country’s ability to support high-technology manufacturing.

“We could not have reached this point without the support and commitment we have enjoyed from Governments across Europe, especially the British Government, who are backing the car industry on manufacturing and charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.  I would also like to once again place on record our thanks to our many partners and their strong belief in zero-emissions motoring.”

With more than 55,000 Nissan LEAFs on the world’s roads today, and with two years of real-world zero emissions experience behind it, today’s announcement marks the start of an exciting chapter for Nissan. The Nissan LEAF is now built in three locations worldwide: Sunderland, UK; Smyrna, Tennessee, USA; and Oppama, Japan.

The launch of three new grades, new interior trim, the addition of Nissan’s Around View Monitor technology and new suspension settings specifically tailored for European roads build on the LEAF’s unique driving experience. This new package gives customers in Europe a second generation zero-emissions car, before most companies have even launched their first electric vehicle.

Integrated on the same line as the best-selling Nissan Qashqai, the new LEAF is a major milestone in Nissan’s global zero-emission leadership. In just 12 months, Nissan has increased the number of dealers selling the LEAF from 200 to 1,400 and the number of charging points in Europe has grown from 12,000 to more than 20,000, proving that electric vehicles are becoming increasingly attractive.

The new Nissan LEAF soon will be joined by all-electric versions of the award-winning NV200, to be called e-NV200, in both light commercial van and five-seat combi versions. Development of a dedicated EV taxi based on the e-NV200 is also underway. An Infiniti EV is expected in 2015.