Agreement brings National Automotive Innovation Campus closer

The three parties have signed the 'heads of terms' for the construction of the £100 million NAIC. The 30,000 sq m NAIC will provide a national focus for research capability by combining the expertise nationally and internationally from industry, universities, supply chain companies and SMEs. The facility will include engineering, labs and powertrain facilities, virtual reality areas, design studio, demonstration and education facilities. More than 900 staff from academic and industry teams from WMG, Jaguar Land Rover, Tata Motors European Technology Centre and other partners will work collaboratively on research projects to deliver products, processes and services. Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr Ralf Speth said: "NAIC offers the opportunity for Jaguar Land Rover to develop its research and advanced engineering operations in one centre with academic and industry experts working together to develop and innovate, internationally competitive products of the future." Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, WMG chairman said: "The automotive industry in the UK has seen a recent resurgence, but for the UK to remain internationally competitive we must create urgently a critical mass in research excellence. "Our vision is to create the National Automotive Innovation Campus where we link people, research and world-leading infrastructure to create and develop novel technologies. NAIC will be an 'engine' for economic growth, with wide economic benefit, and sustained growth from the creation of world-leading technologies." The University of Warwick's vice-chancellor and president, Professor Nigel Thrift, said: "This is a considerable investment that benefit not just our University, nor just our city and region, but as its name says will be of national importance in providing world leading facilities to mesh with engineering ingenuity of our researchers and manufacturers."