JLR cuts 500 UK jobs following sales drop

JLR is shedding UK staff following an 11 per cent drop in sales during the past quarter. That reflects the imposition of new vehicle import tariffs (10 per cent) in the US. And it is also the result of Jaguar production ending ahead of the brand’s rebirth as an ultra-luxury contender.

The firm will offer 1.5 per cent of its workforce a voluntary redundancy package, with around 500 expected to leave the business.

The roles are primarily managerial positions. Its main UK sites are Solihull and Halewood car factories, an engine plant in Wolverhampton and HQ in Gaydon. There is also an engineering centre at Whitley, and a panel pressing facility in Castle Bromwich.

Autocar UK reports a company spokesperson as saying: “JLR regularly offers eligible employees voluntary redundancy [VR] programmes. It…is aligning its leadership workforce for the business’s current and future needs.

JLR continues: “We are grateful to the Government for delivering at speed the new UK-US trade deal, which gives us the confidence to invest £3.5bn per annum to realise our strategy which is delivering.”

Immediately after the 25 per cent tariffs were implemented, JLR paused all vehicle shipments to the US. It has now recommenced deliveries, with the new tariff at 10 per cent (up to 100,000 units per year). JLR makes all Range Rovers and Discovery Sport models in the UK. However, Defender is built in Slovakia and is subject to a 25 per cent levy. It has been one of JLR’s top sellers in the US.

The first half of 2025 has been tough for the UK car industry, with job cuts at Ford and Nissan, and the closure of Vauxhall’s manufacturing plant in Luton. Lotus also floated the possibility of moving Emira production from Hethel to the US. However, it said production will continue there for the time being.