Thursday 16th September 2004

Jaguar plant to close?

Iconic factory could shut -- decision expected tomorrow

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Rumours continue to swirl around the future of Jaguar's iconic Browns Lane car plant, the site that founder William Lyons opened in 1951, and which built the iconic XK120. The plant's 88 acres of manufacturing space, currently providing final assembly of all XK and XJ series cars is said to be about to close, with the workers there to be informed tomorrow by Ford managers.

Ford has, according to sources, decided to cut Jaguar's losses. The plant, along with the other two at Castle Bromwich and Halewood, have been on short time for several weeks already, in an attempt to cut over-production by some 15,000 vehicles.

There's more here.

[jacko lah]

Well, I remember the interview with the Jaguar Manager I had in 1985 back in the days of the Milk round at Coventry Polytechnic.


It's hard not to hold a grudge, as he described me as mediocre ! But Companies like Ford Piss around with more capacity for their cars and then shit on those easiest to shit on. I hope they decide to build the nextr Ka their instead.

[Jasper Gilder]

According to MSN Jaguar are going to cease assembly at Browns Lane but carry on with th ewoodwork and corporate stuff About 1150 jubs on the line. It's a shame to see it go - I come from a town near to Cov and the locals were always very proud of the Jaguar. I've had one as the household barge since 1995 and I can't see that Ford have added anything to the product. If they rationalise to cut costs that's good for all of us, it's when they attack the quality that there is a real problem. Meanwhile Browns Lane carries on in a reduced form as we all move with the times - lets be glad they haven't moved production to Milwaukee - which would be the hyper intelligent thing to do at present!

[dominicf]

Summary of BBC report 12 noon gmt
Plant closure confirmed Browns Lane
The assembly of Jaguar models will transfer to the nearby Castle Bromwich plant, with 400 voluntary redundancies.

Up to 425 of Browns Lane's workers will move to Castle Bromwich whilea further 310 will remain in Coventry to make wood finishes for Jaguar models.

Ford also said Jaguar would pull out of Formula One at the end of the season.

In addition to the 400 voluntary redundancies, 750 further jobs will be lost across the Jaguar Group as part of a radical overhaul of the company's operations

[jamesc]

The one person who is to blame for this is Geoffrey Robinson MP. Friend of another crook (now thankfully dead!) Robert Maxwell. You only have to remember the quality of cars of when he was in charge! The BL badges, he insisted on putting on the cars and the dreadful colours. Where was Mr Robinson when Jaguar's future was being decided? Answer! In the House of Commons for the hunting bill! What a total disgrace this tosser is.

TVR need a nice factory and maybe Nik S could buy an F1 team as well! I also heard Cosworth is up for sale as well.

A sad day for British cars, the motor industry and jobs.

[robocop]

jamesc said:

A sad day for British cars, the motor industry and jobs.

Here, here!

Once again, the poor 'ol worker suffers from inept management!


Rgds

(a poor 'ol worker!)