Manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has put out a statement stating it is not due to operate its own battery gigafactory and instead will be an ‘anchor customer.’
The vehicle manufacturer made the comments following reports, which had stated that its parent company Tata is set to build a gigafactory as part of its global strategy in a Somerset business park.
It said: “Reports that JLR has been offered government funding to influence a decision around future global gigafactory locations are untrue and misleading. JLR will become an anchor customer of the Tata Group’s future global gigafactory venture. Discussions and decision-making on the final European location of this factory with relevant governments are a matter for Tata Group.”
According to reports in the BBC and The Times, talks between the government and Tata are at ‘an advanced stage’ following finanical incentives for the deal by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt.
The news, which could create up to 9,000 jobs, follows the collapse of Britishvolt in January this year. At the time, the industry called for a clear strategy from government on the building of battery factories.
It is believed that Tata is currently considering whether to place its factory in Spain or the UK and West of England Metro Mayor, Dan Norris, has said ‘swift action’ is required to ‘seal the deal’.
Norris said he had previously spoken to JLR last year.
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