Jaguar Land Rover throws government a challenge

Jaguar Land Rover's chief executive Dr Ralf Speth has laid out a future vision which could see 10,000 new jobs created in the West Midlands.

He said at an industry event that Britain's largest carmaker by volume would like to double production from 500,000 to one million cars a year.

But it would depend on the government helping to upgrade power supplies and invest in surrounding infrastructure.

The firm would also like a guarantee on access to engineering talent.

A company spokesman said the production target was "very much a want, rather than a will", but declined to commit on precise job numbers.

The 10,000 figure was mentioned by Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, chairman of Warwick Manufacturing Group, which is part of Warwick University. Although it was not confirmed by the company, it was not dismissed either.

The carmaker's vision comes after the decision of Nissan to move two new next generation models to its Sunderland plant, backed by assurances from the government that it would help to invest in automotive research and development.

JLR chief executive Ralf Speth wants to double the number of UK-produced cars to one million

Nissan produced almost 477,000 vehicles in the UK last year, while just under 490,000 rolled off Jaguar Land Rover's (JLR) production lines, according to industry body the SMMT.

Now it seems JLR has thrown down the gauntlet to the government to match its ambition with big pledges for investment.

Specifically, the company is looking for help with infrastructure surrounding a 60 acre site and provide significant additional power resources.

Lord Bhattacharyya said he was sure "more than 10,000 jobs" would be created if JLR expanded to manufacture electric vehicles and batteries in Coventry.

He said the Business Secretary, Greg Clark, gave his assurances the government would look at the plans very seriously, because "in order to make the batteries and cars we need the power supply, which there is a shortage of in this area".

"There are challenges, but Coventry and Warwickshire is well placed to help make it happen, and I believe the timing is right," agreed Jonathan Browning, chairman of the region's Local Enterprise Partnership.

'More than day-dreaming'

It is a tantalising vision of huge investment in the automotive heart of Britain.

Can the government match the soaring ambition of one of the UK's largest manufacturers with similarly ambitious support?

Although the company described this as an aspiration more than a plan, it is much more than day-dreaming.

According to company sources, this vision has been long held by JLR's boss, but he had chosen not to share it before and the Business Secretary was in the room to hear it.

The message was clear - the ball is now in the government's court.