The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, visited Jaguar Land Rover's manufacturing facility in Solihull, yesterday.

Osborne, who was hosted by JLR chief executive Dr Ralf Speth, met with key plant personnel, graduates and apprentices to further understand how the premium carmaker will maximise the economic benefits of its multi-billion pound investment in the UK.

Last November Jaguar Land Rover confirmed it would keep both its West Midlands plants to support its ambitious plans for new models and volume growth. It had previously declared an intention to close one.

Osborne was briefed on the integral role the Solihull factory − which has been based on the Lode Lane site since 1948 – will play in the production of future models developed around the next iterations of Jaguar Land Rover's advanced lightweight technologies.

Osborne also saw a number of vehicles set for shipment to China – Jaguar Land Rover's third largest market and a market in which Jaguar Land Rover has committed to selling in excess of 40,000 cars in 2011 generating revenue in excess of £1 billion.

Dr Speth said: "It is encouraging that the government recognises the critical role the automotive industry plays in supporting economic growth in the UK."