Jag's Xtra Factory staff

Feb 14 2008 By Jon Griffin

JAGUAR'S new XF is already such a success the luxury car firm has had to meet demand by borrowing extra production workers from sister company Land Rover.

Around 40 workers normally based at Lode Lane, Solihull, have gone "on loan" to Castle Bromwich to help meet the advance orders for the new sports saloon, which does not go on sale until next month.

The Solihull staff have switched to Castle Bromwich under a new labour mobility deal as part of a two-year pay agreement.

The Mail revealed last month that Jaguar had by mid-January clocked up nearly £300 million worth of new orders for the XF - weeks ahead of its showroom launch.

Around 9,000 buyers have now placed advance orders for the XF, which replaces the long-running S-Type after more than nine years.

Land Rover convenor Bob Nason paid tribute to the historic labour agreement which could help reverse years of losses at Jaguar as orders for the new model flood in.

"Jaguar has been in the doldrums for a number of years but we have every reason to believe that the new car will be a success," he said.

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