Car firm to create 600 new jobs

Sales of both marques are increasing

Up to 600 jobs are to be created at car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover in the Midlands.

The announcement comes just weeks after a £700m investment which came when the marques were bought by Indian giant Tata from Ford for £1.2bn.

The firm wants engineers to work on developing new technology aimed at reducing vehicle emissions.

The majority of the jobs will be based at its development centre in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Jaguar Land Rover said it would also start a graduate programme for more than 80 graduates to join the business in September.

'Exciting era'

Other jobs will be advertised for its purchasing, finance and human resources departments.

Chief executive David Smith said: "This recruitment drive demonstrates Jaguar Land Rover's confidence in our future.

"With our new owners, we have entered an exciting era with stunning new models and ambitious technologies.

"I can't remember a better time to be part of the British car industry, and certainly it is a brilliant time for Jaguar Land Rover."

The firm aims to make luxury cars cleaner and greener

The company said worldwide sales of Jaguars were increasing, through the popularity of the new XF saloon while Land Rovers had achieved three successive years of record sales.

Des Thurlby, the firm's HR Director, said: "The work on offer is cutting-edge and the rewards impressive.

"This business has a bright future and we think it will be a very attractive place to work for the best in our industry here in the UK."

The company currently employs about 16,000 staff at UK plants in the West Midlands and Merseyside.

It has sites at Solihull and Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands, Whitley in Coventry, Gaydon in Warwickshire and Halewood in Merseyside.