Tata Motors has invested in the University of Warwick's campus through its subsidiary, Tata Motors European Technical Centre (TMETC). The new National Automotive Innovation Campus (NAIC) facility will open in 2016 and will house around 1,000 engineers and scientists.
The NAIC, which represents a total investment of around £100m, will receive funding from Tata Motors of around £30m, alongside the support of its partners, Jaguar Land Rover, WMG and the UK Government’s Higher Education Funding Council England (HEFCE). It is set to create and develop novel technologies to reduce dependency on fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions.
Nick Fell, Director and Head of Tata Motors European Technical Centre, said: “We are delighted by Tata Motors’ decision to invest in this superb facility, and by the trust in TMETC and UK capability that it represents. We greatly look forward to working with our collaborative partners and the Tata Motors teams from this world class base.”
Construction of the NAIC is scheduled to begin in September 2014. The building will have iconic design features, engineering workshops, powertrain and vehicle engineering laboratories, and the latest advanced design, visualisation and rapid prototyping technologies.
Dr Tim Leverton, Head of Advanced Engineering and Product Development for Tata Motors, said: “This investment constitutes the next step in Tata Motors’ strategy to develop world class products for its global customers and TMETC plays a significant role in that plan. Our teams in India and in the UK complement each other in academic excellence and product experience, and we see the UK as a global hub for innovative and low carbon automotive technologies, which will benefit our customers.”
The move builds on TMETC’s eight-year collaboration with the University and will see TMETC expand to a workforce of around 350 staff covering all areas of automotive design and R&D.
Mr Fell added: “The decision by Tata Motors to invest in the NAIC has galvanised our teams and will be repaid by our contribution to Tata’s future products, as well as to the automotive R&D scene in the UK. TMETC has become a well-established long term employer for automotive talent in the UK and the NAIC will reinforce its commitment to developing young engineers and apprentices through its recruitment and training programme, closely linked to the WMG Academy for Young Engineers.”
