Unions confident of Land Rover survival

Union leaders tonight expressed optimism that the future of car giant Land Rover will be secured ahead of a crucial meeting aimed at drawing up a survival plan for the firm’s UK factory.

Managers and union officials at the plant in Solihull, West Midlands have been working on a so-called roadmap to boost the factory’s competitiveness.

Mark Fields, the senior European executive of Ford, which owns Land Rover, will meet managers and unions tomorrow to review progress.

Amicus, the Transport and General Workers Union and the GMB said in a joint statement that an interim report on the roadmap had been given to shop stewards.

“It was an extremely positive meeting which the trade unions believe will enable us to achieve a successful outcome at the roadmap discussions to be concluded with Mark Fields.”

The 8,000 workers at the factory will be balloted on any proposed agreement.

Land Rover said managers and union officials had been working hard to reach a deal covering areas including operating processes and working practices.

“The management are hopeful of a successful outcome,” said a spokesman.

The aim of the roadmap is to improve competitiveness at Solihull to levels enjoyed by Ford-owned Jaguar within three years and to world class levels within five years.

About 165,000 Land Rovers were sold last year, with the UK and United States the two leading markets.

Business leaders have warned that the West Midlands economy would be devastated if the factory was to close.