Jaguar Land Rover has begun manufacturing the first fully electric Range Rover at its Solihull plant, marking a major shift in the company's production strategy. The launch follows a large-scale transformation of the site, including new battery and electric drive unit production lines at Lode Lane.
The company confirmed that around 9,000 employees in Solihull have been upskilled for electrification, with a further 1,500 trained across the West Midlands. Jaguar Land Rover's Electric Propulsion Manufacturing Centre in Wolverhampton now produces battery packs and electric drive units alongside internal combustion engines.
Plant transformation and workforce reskilling
The transformation extends beyond Solihull, affecting other sites across the West Midlands. The new production lines at Lode Lane are central to the company's electrification strategy, enabling the manufacture of the Range Rover Electric alongside existing models.
The reskilling programme has been extensive, covering thousands of workers in the region. This investment in workforce development is designed to support the transition to electric vehicle production while maintaining existing manufacturing capabilities.
Engineering and development milestones
Martin Limpert, managing director of Range Rover, said: “Range Rover Electric is the result of a decade of considered engineering and technological development, setting a new benchmark for the original luxury SUV.”
He added: “We took our testing and development programmes even further than originally intended to ensure Range Rover Electric is genuinely the most accomplished Range Rover ever.”
Matt Becker, JLR's vehicle engineering director, said: “The defining characteristic of Range Rover Electric is its ability to perform across every surface, with effortless comfort and refinement. We’ve worked tirelessly to ensure it retains those qualities.”
Impact on West Midlands manufacturing
The launch of the Range Rover Electric is expected to strengthen the West Midlands' position as a hub for electric vehicle production. The new production lines and upskilled workforce are part of JLR's broader commitment to electrification across its UK operations.
The company has not disclosed production volumes or a market launch date, but the transformation of the Solihull plant and the training of thousands of employees signal a significant operational shift. The Wolverhampton facility's dual production of battery components and internal combustion engines highlights the transitional phase of JLR's manufacturing strategy.
