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Image source, PA Media Image caption, JLR suppliers say skills and factories could be redirected into aerospace and defence By James Pearson Political reporter Major Jaguar Land Rover suppliers have urged the government to help automotive manufacturers move into aerospace and defence, warning that large-scale car production in the UK faces long-term decline. In an open letter to the prime minister, chancellor and West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker, industry leaders argued Britain's automotive supply chain was "not in decline" but "in the wrong market". The intervention comes nearly a fortnight after JLR announced plans to cut 4,000 jobs.
The Treasury said it recognised the uncertainty facing workers and was supporting the automotive sector through grants, lower energy costs and investment in electric vehicle production. JLR has its global headquarters in Coventry and plants in Solihull, Wolverhampton and Halewood. Signatories to the letter said the redundancies were "the first visible crack" in a UK automotive supply chain supporting about 183,000 manufacturing jobs.
Image source, Evtec Group Holdings Limited Image caption, David Roberts said large-scale car production in the UK faced long-term decline The group, which includes Coventry-based Evtec, Solihull-based Artifex and the Confederation of British Metal Forming, said suppliers faced rising energy costs, growing overseas competition and increasing pressure from vehicle manufacturers sourcing components abroad. David Roberts, chairman of Evtec, said manufacturers believed high-volume car production in the UK was entering a decade of decline. Speaking on BBC Politics Midlands, he said: "We want to take action today rather than wait for that to happen." Roberts argued there was a "very big opportunity" for manufacturers to redirect skills, factories and investment into the UK's expanding aerospace and defence sectors.
The letter said automotive suppliers already possessed many of the capabilities needed to support aircraft, defence equipment and military vehicles, but warned firms needed help to make the transition. "The capacity exists. The people exist.
What is missing is the bridge," it said. Image source, BBC News Image caption, The open letter calls for support to help automotive firms enter aerospace and defence The manufacturers called for lower industrial energy costs, support to help firms qualify for aerospace and defence contracts, and a West Midlands programme to accelerate the shift into those sectors. The letter was signed by executives representing businesses with more than 8,600 direct employees, alongside the Confederation of British Metal Forming, which represents about 75,000 workers.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Chinese-owned brands accounted for about 15% of new car registrations in the UK in 2025 and 2026. The suppliers argued that competitors overseas benefited from lower energy costs, greater automation and, in some cases, government subsidies. A Treasury spokesperson said Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds had met JLR and trade union representatives following the redundancy announcement and pointed to government backing for electric vehicle production through the £2.5bn DRIVE35 programme.
The government said manufacturers were also expected to benefit from measures to reduce industrial electricity costs and support investment in the sector. Get in touch Tell us which stories we should cover in Coventry & Warwickshire
Source: BBC
