Coventry City Council’s Inward Investment Team are set to join more than 1,000 exhibitors from all around the world at a major automotive show in Germany.

The show, which is the largest of its kind in Europe, is held every two years and attracts all the top automotive companies from across the globe. More than 2.1 million visitors are expected over the 12 days of the show (including 6,500 journalists) and Coventry will be well represented on a major stand that will promote Coventry and the region as a great place for the automotive sector.

Coventry has a rich automotive history and is increasingly being recognised as an area of research and development expertise. Jaguar, British Steel and Lotus all have automotive research and development centres here and Coventry University TechnoCentre is also attracting specialist transport related businesses.

Councillor Bob Waugh who chairs the Economic Affairs Co-ordinating Committee said:

"Businesses create the wealth that provides the jobs for local people. And we are committed to doing all that we can to attract more and more world class businesses to our city. We have a growing reputation as a centre of research and development expertise and attending shows like this helps us attract new investors and new job creators.

Coventry has a lot to be proud of, a highly skilled workforce, a prime location at the heart of the UK and the drive to help companies succeed. There has never been a better time to be in Coventry and I believe that we can compete with any city in Europe."

A number of automotive companies have already recognised what Coventry has got to offer. Notable investment successes include Edscha who produce door hinges and employ 70 people, Kautex Unipart who produce fuel systems and employ 125 people, Brose who produce window mechanisms and employ 350 people and Novema who manufacture wooden trim for cars and who employ 280 people.

Encouraging new investment will help City Development to meet the Community Plan target of creating new jobs for Coventry people. New jobs which will in turn, increase prosperity and reduce poverty.