This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-22462191
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Jaguar F-Type: First models leave Birmingham factory | Jaguar F-Type: First models leave Birmingham factory |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The first Jaguar F-Type sports cars for customers will leave the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham later. | The first Jaguar F-Type sports cars for customers will leave the Castle Bromwich factory in Birmingham later. |
| Jaguar said it had been "absent for too long" from making sports cars, with the last, its E-Type, made in 1975. | Jaguar said it had been "absent for too long" from making sports cars, with the last, its E-Type, made in 1975. |
| The new two-seater car has resulted in contracts worth about £2.8bn being placed with companies, around 30% of those to local firms, Jaguar said. | |
| Operations director Grant McPherson said: "They're just like driving a big go-kart. They just absolutely fly." | Operations director Grant McPherson said: "They're just like driving a big go-kart. They just absolutely fly." |
| Jaguar Land Rover anticipates it will export more than 75% of the cars. | |
| Mr McPherson added: "Americans are the biggest market, but the other two big markets for us are going to be the UK and the European market as well." | Mr McPherson added: "Americans are the biggest market, but the other two big markets for us are going to be the UK and the European market as well." |
| Chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce Group Jerry Blackett said the impact on the economy would be "more than just good news for Jaguar Land Rover". | |
| He said: "The strong performance of our manufacturing sector in the West Midlands has belied the national figures for manufacturing performance elsewhere in the UK. | |
| "The fact that this new sports car will be made in the West Midlands is great news for local suppliers as well as customers. | |
| "The very nature of its success will help drive up the standard of local supply manufacturing, so that they are better able to deliver to customers as well." |