Jaguar 'eyes Merseyside expansion'

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is understood to be mulling a huge expansion at its Halewood factory in Merseyside that analysts estimated could create up to 1,000 new jobs.

Halewood is thought to have been identified as the right site for investment because it makes the Range Rover Evoque, which is hugely in demand, while new models are also planned for the plant. A JLR spokesman said reports about potential job creation at Halewood were "speculation" although he declined to dismiss them as incorrect. "We do not share details of our future investment and recruitment plans," he said.

JLR's ambitious expansion plans are well-known. Ralf Speth, chief executive, proposes to launch 40 models in the next five years, and aims to double car sales to 750,000 by 2015.