Jaguar Land Rover partnership with Zytek is further boost to county’s growing economy

Staffordshire’s position as a leading area for manufacturing and research has been strengthened by a new partnership between Jaguar Land Rover and a county company, the area’s local enterprise partnership chairman has said.

Ron Dougan said the announcement that Lichfield-based Zytek Automotive has been selected as a partner to take forward Jaguar Land Rover’s Evoque_e electronic hybrid vehicle project, is a further boost to the economy of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

The company is one of 12 partners from industry and universities to be selected by Jaguar Land Rover for the project – a research and development programme for next generation hybrid and battery-electric vehicle technology, based on the Range Rover Evoque. The collaborative programme will begin next month and involve the design, development and building of three vehicles. It is a £16.3million Government Technology Strategy Board project, with Jaguar Land Rover contributing £4m.

Ron added: “The selection of Zytek Automotive by Jaguar Land Rover for this leading technological research and development project is great news for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. We know we are a leading area for manufacturing and research and the involvement of a Staffordshire business in this project strengthens this reputation.
“With Jaguar Land Rover basing its new engine plant at i54 South Staffordshire we are pleased to see another established link with our area and hope many more will follow. This is an exciting project which could be ground breaking for the future of the automotive industry.”

Kerry Diamond, chief financial officer at Zytek and LEP board member, said: “We are delighted to be working with Jaguar Land Rover on this prestigious project and pleased a Staffordshire representative is involved.”