JLR to cut workforce

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is set to shed about 4,000 roles over the next two years in a further blow to Europe’s automobile industry.

The company this week revealed its voluntary redundancy scheme just days after Volkswagen announced 50,000 extra job cuts.

It follows months of turmoil caused by a cyberattack on the luxury carmaker and US President Donald Trump's sector-wide tariffs.

The world’s biggest carmakers across Europe, the US and Japan are also facing strong competition from Chinese manufacturers, and the need to invest heavily in EVs.

PB Balaji, JLR’s chief executive, says: “The industry faces significant challenges with technological change amid intense competition and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty.

“Over the next 12 months, we will launch five new products, continue to leverage the strength of our brands and renew our focus on North America, among other markets, to help us deliver double-digit revenue growth.” 

The vast majority of JLR employees of around 34,000 people are based in the UK. Last week, the company opened orders for its new Range Rover Electric, pictured.

In an earlier statement Monday, JLR identified management roles as those at risk, while local media reports say most of the cuts will be in the UK.

The restructuring comes a year after a cyberattack halted the marque’s UK production and severely affected its finances. Owned by India’s Tata Motors, JLR was forced to halt production for more than a month.