The West Midlands is the beating heart of the UK automotive sector and Coventry & Warwickshire has emerged as a Centre of Excellence in battery technology.
The time is right to work with the Government to put together a winning Gigafactory pitch. If the UK is to lead the world in green technology, whilst protecting and creating automotive jobs, we must secure investment in a Gigafactory and Coventry and Warwickshire is the obvious location.
The West Midlands is already the home of the UK automotive sector, with a powerful automotive cluster. Within the region, Coventry & Warwickshire has emerged as a centre of excellence for battery technology, home to the UK battery Industrialisation Centre (UKBIC).
If the UK is to secure a Gigafactory for battery production, Coventry & Warwickshire is the obvious location as part of the mature West Midlands automotive ecosystem. Every corner of the West Midlands will benefit, and beyond. We have the ecosystem in place, we have the commercial understanding, we have the land, and we have the experience
Why Coventry and Warwickshire should be home to a UK Gigafactory
- The West Midlands is the beating heart of the UK automotive sector, and home to a powerful automotive cluster with an advanced automotive skills ecosystem. The region is already home to 28% of the UK’s automotive talent.
- Coventry & Warwickshire has emerged as a centre of excellence for battery technology and has successfully facilitated the delivery of UKBIC, working with a local partnership which includes WMG at Warwick University and the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC).
- Coventry is home to the global headquarters of Jaguar Land Rover – the UK’s largest car maker – whilst LEVC, BMW, Aston Martin Lagonda, Lotus, TATA Motors and many others are based in the wider West Midlands.
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Positioned in the heart of the UK, the West Midlands is at the centre of a connected transport network. The region is within a four-hour travel time for 90% of the UK population. The region is served by the UK’s fastest growing airport, with transport links set to be improved further by HS2.
