It’s a jobs jamboree, says RAY MASSEY: Britain’s car industry is busy recruiting talented people to help build increasingly high-tech cars of the future.
The UK car industry is busy recruiting talented people to help build the increasingly high-tech cars of the future.
As an antidote to the current economic pessimism, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Aston Martin and Jaguar Land Rover are among those seeking a range of skilled personnel – from engineers and software programmers to craftsmen and support staff – as well as enthusiastic apprentices to be trained to fill the skills gap.
ROLL UP FOR BENTLEY
Bentley has launched a recruitment drive for 200 vacancies, seeking electrical engineers, engineering project managers, problem solvers and digital innovators “from all walks of life” (bentleycareers.com).
Recruiting shining stars: Rolls-Royce is recruiting people to help build the cars of the future
The Crewe-based company is already recruiting 117 trainees – with vacancies for e-learning positions from February 2023.
As part of its Beyond100 strategy, Bentley aims to fully electrify its product line within seven years.
ROLLS-ROYCE RACE
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in Goodwood, West Sussex, is inviting applications for its 2023 apprenticeship scheme.
It also offers degree apprenticeships in partnership with neighboring universities. (rolls royce motorcars.com).
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars invites applications for its 2023 apprenticeship program
As it prepares to launch its next generation of luxury sports cars, Aston Martin is creating more than 100 permanent jobs
Bentley has launched a recruitment drive for 200 vacancies, looking for electrical engineers, engineering project managers, problem solvers and digital innovators
SPORTS REGISTRATIONS
As it prepares to launch its next generation of luxury sports cars, Aston Martin is creating more than 100 permanent jobs at its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire. Recruitment manager Simon Smith said: “No one builds an Aston Martin on their own and this is a fantastic opportunity for experienced automotive technicians.”
JAGUAR ROARS
Jaguar Land Rover is recruiting people to fill the gap in high-tech skills related to areas such as electrification, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. JLR says it has hired 500 digital and engineering workers, but still needs more.
Upgrade to Polestar
Polestar has upgraded its first all-electric model, the Polestar 2. Along with some minor exterior tweaks, key upgrades include new motors, higher performance, a refined ride, faster charging and longer range of up to at 394 miles (635 km).
The more powerful single-motor two-wheeler version switches from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive with a 0-62mph acceleration of 6.2 seconds, slashing the previous figure by 1.2 seconds. The revised dual-motor version manages it in 4.3 seconds.
Upgrade: Besides some minor exterior tweaks, major upgrades include new engines, higher performance
Dubbed the ‘2024 model year’ car, it’s available to order now ahead of first deliveries in the autumn, priced from £44,950 for the single engine, up to £57,950 for the long range twin engine with performance package.
Polestar has opened its new UK headquarters at Bicester Heritage in Oxfordshire. Details and opening hours on: polestar.com/uk/spaces/bicester/
The Porsche 911, the most eye-catching car in the world
Porsche’s streamlined 911 is the world’s most eye-catching car, according to an AutoTrader study using eye-tracking technology.
Participants watched 40 images of the world’s best-selling car models on a screen while tracking their eye movements to find out which vehicles capture and hold our gaze the longest.
In the spotlight: Porsche’s streamlined 911 is the world’s most eye-catching car, according to AutoTrader research
The Porsche 911 held the participants’ gaze for 2.51 seconds and achieved an “eye-catching score” of 91%. The highest-rated electric car was the fourth-ranked Porsche Taycan (86%), which held participants’ gazes the longest, with an average gaze time of 5.63 seconds.
The most eye-catching everyday car is the BMW 3 Series (84%), just ahead of the Tesla Model 3.
The car that captures our attention the most is the Toyota Yaris at 1.89 seconds.
