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Production plans in Saudi Arabia have caused tension within JLR, but the company should be applauded for its continued commitment to growth through international investmentThere is, you sense, a good deal of nervousness at Jaguar Land Rover at the announcement of plans to capitalise on the advanced and abundant aluminium smelting and energy production resources in Saudi Arabia, because they worry it won't be seen as the right move for a fundamentally British firm. Anyone with a right mind will surely see the announcement of a letter of intent with Saudi authorities, with the goal of taking leadership in aluminium supply and production, as a good move, for JLR, its workers and British industry as a whole, though. To focus the company in Britain alone would surely be madness, especially when similar resources are not available here. Instead, we should rejoice at further evidence of the firm's long-term ambitions to grow and the fact that it is doing so off the back of a continuing commitment to invest and expand its operations here. Furthermore, so the theory goes, every three jobs created away from the home base stimulates one more at HQ; with the ambitious Saudi manufacturing plans requiring thousands of locals to be trained, that certainly rings true. Fact is, JLR is at the forefront of investment in the UK by car manufacturers which is worth an estimated 6bn in recent years, and it is playing a central role in expanding production levels in the UK ever closer to the peak figure of the late 1970s. Any doubters should take a look at Opel-Vauxhall, Fiat or Peugeot-Citroen for evidence of the dangers of focusing too closely on the home market. A strong international business needs strong international foundations. Today's news is a positive first step in providing that kind of growth and security into what looks like an ever brighter future. And if that future is so successful that it can include a successor to the C-X75 that makes production, we'll have even more reason to remember today's announcements fondly.
