Video Loading

Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed Jaguar Land Rover as a "great British success story" and an inspiration to the recovering economy.

Mr Cameron said on a visit to JLR's new £500m engine plant near Wolverhampton that the Midlands' biggest manufacturer was a shining example to industry.

He told the Birmingham Post: "This clearly epitomises everything that needs to happen to the British economy.

"In the past we saw too much jobs growth in the south east and here we are in the heartland of the West Midands and the heartland of manufacturing.

"There has been too much jobs growth within services when we need an export-led recovery.

"It is great for Britain that we have got such a successful automotive industry."

He added: "It is not just the 1,500 jobs here. It is also the 3,500 jobs in the supply chain.

"I want to see the re-industrialisation of the economy and in sectors like this we can achieve that."

Later, the Prime Minister told assembled JLR workers: "It makes my spirit soar when I see such an exciting future for British manufacturing.

"Figures here are really impressive.  You are going to have 1,500 people working in this plant and it is going to be 3,500 jobs in the supply chain.

"You are going to be producing an engine every 36 seconds, which is staggering.

"I think that the real story is what you are doing epitomises what needs to happen in British economy."

"We need to make more things, we need to design more things, we need to train more people and you are doing all of that.

"Here you are in the West Midlands, the workshop of the world, and you are putting people back into jobs."

"Britain has an amazing hi-tech manufacturing future led by companies like yours."

The new facility at the i54 business park in Pendeford will begin production early in 2015.

The new JLR engine plant at the i54 business park will open in 2015.
The new JLR engine plant at the i54 business park will open in 2015.