Jaguar Land Rover has unveiled its new advanced product creation centre at Gaydon this week.
The new facilities at the heart of the site will bring Design, Product Engineering and Product Purchasing under the same roof for the first time.
It has also become the UK’s largest and most advanced automotive creation and development facility, and will be the leading centre of autonomous, connected, electrified and shared mobility technologies that will ensure Jaguar Land Rover’s long-term, sustainable growth.
Gaydon will remain at the heart of global vehicle development operations, supported by a network of technology hubs to help create some of the most desirable vehicles and services in the world.
WATCH: Prof Sir Ralf Speth explains the importance of Gaydon's new facility to realising our Destination Zero vision
Speaking at the opening in front of the media and colleagues, Prof Sir Ralf Speth said: “Megatrends like urbanisation and sustainability are fundamentally changing the automotive industry.
“At Jaguar Land Rover, we not only participate – we are shaping future mobility. Our vision is for a world in which zero emission vehicles, public transport and self-driving pods will form one smart integrated and networked transport system.
“At Gaydon, we have invested into the future and an inspiring environment for our people. We have created the prerequisites that Gaydon can design and engineer the next generation of outstanding cars in the highest quality. We have consciously invested with a ‘Destination Zero’ attitude.”
WATCH: Take a virtual tour of the new advanced product creation centre at Gaydon
The new facility, which will be the home to almost 13,000 engineering and design colleagues, has more than 50,000m2 of innovative workspace designed to encourage collaboration throughout the vehicle development process. It also includes the new Jaguar design studio, co-locating Jaguar and Land Rover design for the first time.
Gaydon also forms part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Destination Zero vision; an ambition to make societies safer and healthier, and the environment cleaner.
DESTINATION ZERO: See how Jaguar Land Rover's Midlands Ecosystem all fits together
At the reveal, a number of the latest vehicles and research developments showcased the significant steps Jaguar Land Rover has taken towards its Destination Zero mission. These included 3D printed gloves that protect against musculoskeletal disorders, sensory steering wheels, and upcycling domestic waste to create high quality materials to use in vehicles.
The new building is also rated in the top 10 percent most sustainable non-domestic buildings in the UK. To achieve this, the advanced product creation centre will generate up to 20 percent of its energy from 3,000m2 of photovoltaic solar panels on the roof, with the remainder coming from 100 percent renewable sources.
Gaydon’s facility also uses the same glazing technology as the Eden Project, which brings as much natural light in as possible, making it more energy efficient.
Within the main site, the redevelopment of the area has also created a natural environment to improve the personal health, wellbeing and productivity of colleagues.
FIND OUT MORE: About Gaydon's rich heritage from the RAF to automotive engineering
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