Jaguar and Land Rover invest in green future

26 June 2008

Jaguar and Land Rover invest in green future

Jaguar and Land Rover is investing $NZ 1,750 million over the next five years to ensure its vehicles are more environmentally friendly.

And it is not as if it has not already started work in the environment and green area of the automotive industry.

The Jaguar XJ 2.7 Diesel was named Britain's greenest luxury car in the Environmental Transport Association's Car Buyers Guide for the second year running this year.

As part of its investment in future green technology Jaguar and Land Rover is recruiting 600 new engineers and staff, many of whom will be based at the company's design centres in Gaydon, Warwickshire, and Whitley, Coventry.

Wallis Dumper, Managing Director of Motorcorp Distributors Limited, the distributor for Jaguar and Land Rover in New Zealand, commented: "With our new owners we have entered an exciting era with stunning new models and ambitious technologies."

Chief Executive Officer of Jaguar and Land Rover, David Smith said, "Our engineers are at the forefront of developing new, sustainable technology and as a business we are investing £700 million on projects specifically aimed at reducing CO2 emissions.”

"Sustainability is a business imperative and we will be recruiting both experienced and newly qualified graduate engineers to progress the technology projects of the future," said Mr Smith.

Seventy million pounds sterling which the British government pledged last month to invest in a low carbon vehicles programme will help Jaguar Land Rover to take further strides forward. The company will join other car designers to work on electric and electric-diesel hybrid engines and using more aluminium in cars to make them lighter and more fuel efficient.

The firm is also helping to develop a smaller petrol engine to cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than a quarter without sacrificing performance.

"Land Rover and Jaguar fully recognise our responsibility to the environment and are committed to playing our role in developing technology solutions in cars, fuels and infrastructure to address climate change," said Mr Dumper.

ENDS

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