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| Jaguar Land Rover races past Nissan to become UK's biggest carmaker | Jaguar Land Rover races past Nissan to become UK's biggest carmaker |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Jaguar Land Rover has become the biggest carmaker in Britain for the first time, capping a remarkable turnaround for the company after it almost collapsed in 2009. | Jaguar Land Rover has become the biggest carmaker in Britain for the first time, capping a remarkable turnaround for the company after it almost collapsed in 2009. |
| It produced 489,923 cars in 2015, up by 9% year on year, moving ahead of Nissan, which produced 476,589, a 4.7% decline. | It produced 489,923 cars in 2015, up by 9% year on year, moving ahead of Nissan, which produced 476,589, a 4.7% decline. |
| JLR produces cars at three plants: Castle Bromwich and Solihull in the West Midlands and Halewood in Merseyside. Nissan had been the biggest car manufacturer in Britain since 1999. Its factory in Sunderland, which will be 30 years old this year, remains the biggest plant in the country. | JLR produces cars at three plants: Castle Bromwich and Solihull in the West Midlands and Halewood in Merseyside. Nissan had been the biggest car manufacturer in Britain since 1999. Its factory in Sunderland, which will be 30 years old this year, remains the biggest plant in the country. |
| JLR was on the brink of collapse seven years ago after global car sales slumped on the back of the financial crisis. In 2009, it produced 158,000 cars. Since then, Tata, the Indian owner of the luxury carmaker, has revitalised the company by pumping more than £11bn into research and development. | |
| Related: A booming British car industry signals the route to prosperity | Ian Birrell | Related: A booming British car industry signals the route to prosperity | Ian Birrell |
| The company now employs 35,000 people in the UK, double the figure five years ago. Its popular models include the Range Rover Evoque and the Jaguar F-Type. | The company now employs 35,000 people in the UK, double the figure five years ago. Its popular models include the Range Rover Evoque and the Jaguar F-Type. |
| The number of cars manufactured in Britain reached the highest level for a decade in 2015 thanks to the success of JLR, Mini and Toyota. | The number of cars manufactured in Britain reached the highest level for a decade in 2015 thanks to the success of JLR, Mini and Toyota. |
| Car manufacturing increased by 3.9% year on year in 2015 to 1,587,677 cars, the biggest output since 2005. This included a 2.7% rise in the number of cars exported to an all-time high of 1,227,881. | Car manufacturing increased by 3.9% year on year in 2015 to 1,587,677 cars, the biggest output since 2005. This included a 2.7% rise in the number of cars exported to an all-time high of 1,227,881. |
| As well as the growth at JLR, there was a 12.4% increase in production for Mini, the third biggest manufacturer in the country, and Toyota, the fourth. | As well as the growth at JLR, there was a 12.4% increase in production for Mini, the third biggest manufacturer in the country, and Toyota, the fourth. |
| George Osborne, the chancellor, hailed the figures as evidence that the UK economy is rebalancing. “Backing Britain’s car industry has been a priority for this government and today we see the industry going from strength to strength,” he said. | George Osborne, the chancellor, hailed the figures as evidence that the UK economy is rebalancing. “Backing Britain’s car industry has been a priority for this government and today we see the industry going from strength to strength,” he said. |
| “I am hugely encouraged that manufacturing is at a 10-year high and exports are at a record level. All this means jobs and the security of a pay packet for workers and their families. | “I am hugely encouraged that manufacturing is at a 10-year high and exports are at a record level. All this means jobs and the security of a pay packet for workers and their families. |
| “Our plans to rebalance the economy mean we have to continue to build on our great manufacturing strengths in the Midlands and the north of England, and work together to ensure that Britain continues to prosper as a global leader in car production.” | “Our plans to rebalance the economy mean we have to continue to build on our great manufacturing strengths in the Midlands and the north of England, and work together to ensure that Britain continues to prosper as a global leader in car production.” |
| The all-time record for car production in Britain was achieved in 1972, when 1.92m vehicles were manufactured. | The all-time record for car production in Britain was achieved in 1972, when 1.92m vehicles were manufactured. |
| Related: After a bumpy year for Jaguar Land Rover, can China still drive it forward? | Related: After a bumpy year for Jaguar Land Rover, can China still drive it forward? |
| The increase in 2015 was achieved despite the slowdown in China. The US overtook China to become the single biggest export market for the UK, with demand up by 26.5%. | The increase in 2015 was achieved despite the slowdown in China. The US overtook China to become the single biggest export market for the UK, with demand up by 26.5%. |
| This meant that the US accounted for 10.9% of exports, compared to 7% for China, although the European Union was the biggest export market as a whole, accounting for 57.5% of UK car exports. | This meant that the US accounted for 10.9% of exports, compared to 7% for China, although the European Union was the biggest export market as a whole, accounting for 57.5% of UK car exports. |
| Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which produced the figures, said: “Despite export challenges in some key markets such as Russia and China, foreign demand for British-built cars has been strong, reaching record export levels in the past year.” | Mike Hawes, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, which produced the figures, said: “Despite export challenges in some key markets such as Russia and China, foreign demand for British-built cars has been strong, reaching record export levels in the past year.” |
| Hawes said it was vital for the automotive industry that the UK remained in the EU. | Hawes said it was vital for the automotive industry that the UK remained in the EU. |
| “Continued growth in an intensely competitive global marketplace is far from guaranteed and depends heavily on global economic conditions and political stability,” he said. | “Continued growth in an intensely competitive global marketplace is far from guaranteed and depends heavily on global economic conditions and political stability,” he said. |
| “Europe is our biggest trading partner and the UK’s membership of the European Union is vital for the automotive sector in order to secure future growth and jobs.” | “Europe is our biggest trading partner and the UK’s membership of the European Union is vital for the automotive sector in order to secure future growth and jobs.” |