BY ANTONY HOPKER
FreelanderHundreds of jobs could be won and lost in the Coventry and Warwickshire sub-region if Ford’s deal to buy Land Rover from BMW is completed. The sale of the marque, which is produced in Solihull, is expected to be completed this week.
Last-minute wrangles have delayed the sale after it was revealed that Land Rover losses were running at £100 million a year. Ford plans to increase production form 180,000 vehicles a year to its capacity 250,000.
But it is expected to switch suppliers, which could cost thousands of jobs in Britain. Ford, which is buying Land Rover for £1.8 billion will share parts with its Maverick and Explorer models, and will look abroad more than Land Rover have in the past.
Land Rover currently buys around 90 per cent of its components in the UK. Rover suppliers are also to be hit, with new owners Phoenix planning to make savings by switching to European markets. The strength of the pound will make it cheaper to shop on the continent.
Is the Editor of the Parkers website and price guide, formerly editor of Classic Car Weekly, and launch editor/creator of Modern Classics magazine. Has contributed to various motoring titles including Octane, Practical Classics, Evo, Honest John, CAR magazine, Autocar, Pistonheads, Diesel Car, Practical Performance Car, Performance French Car, Car Mechanics, Jaguar World Monthly, MG Enthusiast, Modern MINI, Practical Classics, Fifth Gear Website, Radio 4, and the the Motoring Independent...
Likes 'conditionally challenged' motors and taking them on unfeasible adventures all across Europe.
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