Automotive News – Late February 2024
Estimated reading time 2 minutes
Luxury car maker Aston Martin will recruit about 400 technicians to help produce its “next generation” of sports cars. The staff, to be based at Gaydon, Warwickshire, and St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, will support production of the DBX707 luxury SUV.
The firm said demand for the SUV and the introduction of other models led to the move.
The jobs will be agency roles and recruitment has already started.
“We are delighted to be able to increase our manufacturing team across both our facilities in Gaydon and St Athan, creating further employment opportunities for our local communities,” said Simon Smith, Aston Martin’s chief people officer.
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Britain’s new bus, coach and minibus market is growing back after three challenging years, with 4,932 new units registered in 2023, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The performance represents a 44.6% increase on 2022 levels as passenger confidence continues to return, although uptake remains -16.0% below 2019 levels.
The market was driven by strong investment in single and double-decker buses, with registrations up 52.5% and 173.6% respectively. Minibuses also recorded strong growth, rising 18.3% over the year as fleets across the UK invested in new passenger transport assets.
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Vauxhall owner Stellantis has announced it is to begin making electric vehicles at its factory in Luton. The plans are expected to secure the long-term future of the plant and 1,500 jobs, following concerns last year about Brexit red tape. The company said it would start production of its medium-sized Vivaro Electric van before summer 2025. Electric models from other Stellantis brands, including Citroën, Peugeot and Fiat, will also be built there
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The UK’s biggest electric vehicle battery manufacturing factory is to be built in Somerset.
Talks have been taking place for months and now Jaguar Land Rover-owner Tata has confirmed it will build the £4bn plant on the site of a former armaments factory near Bridgwater.
The new plant is expected to create 4,000 jobs and thousands more in the local supply chain. Battery production is set to begin at the site on the Gravity business park in around two years’ time.
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