Jaguar Land Rover to spend extra £1bn with UK suppliers The car maker is to increase orders for components for the Range Rover Evoque over the next four years because of better-than-expected demand for the vehicle, which is produced in Halewood. The spending comes on top of £2bn of contracts already agreed with more than 40 UK suppliers. Vince Cable, the Business Secretary, said: "The very welcome news that Jaguar Land Rover is spending a further £1bn with UK suppliers is another indication of the strength of the UK auto sector and the commitment to the UK of major producers and exporters like JLR." JLR also said that it is to create 300 jobs in Merseyside by opening a new components warehouse. The car maker will use the site to free up space in its Halewood plant and increase production of the Evoque and Land Rover Freelander 2. The components warehouse will be located at a 405,000 sq ft site called the Phoenix close to Vauxhall's car plant in Ellesmere Port. JLR is leasing the warehouse from property company Highcross and it will open this summer. Ralf Speth, JLR chief executive, said: "The announcements demonstrate JLR's clear ambition for continued growth."