www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr5vglq04zeo
This is sad news but surely it's been heading this way for a time. I remember working with a major car manufacturer in the 9s when they were going through "globalisation" - i.e. moving production in the more expensive areas to cheaper ones.
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Do many people choose cars because they are made in the U.K? I suspect most people don’t even know which models are made here.
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Even those from brands and with names familiar to those who are old enough to remember when the UK had a domestic car industry may be made overseas.
Even if final assembly takes place in the UK, components may be manufactured and sourced from almost anywhere in the world.
Reflect on the fact that in 1985, 40 years ago, BL had a market share of 40%, Ford 19% and Vauxhall 11% - all substantially UK manufactured. The UK royally screwed up.
Contrast with Germany where BMW, Mercedes and VW Group cars still dominate their market.
Nothing to do with a high cost base, although that explains why much UK demand ended up offshored to Japan, Korea and now China. Incompetent management, ineffectual government, disruptive unions combined to make the UK a manufacturing desert.
All rather sad - but we have no one to blame but ourselves.
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100% agree about poor management, poor governance and terrible labour relations. But let's credit dreadful products too. 1970's chronic unreliability and unavailability. You had to wait months for your car. Rust right from the word go. Over priced.
The Japanese came along and ate our lunch. Good value cars, available and well built. Totally reliable. Today's disruptors are the Chinese.
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>> Do many people choose cars because they are made in the U.K? I suspect most
>> people don’t even know which models are made here.
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Oh yes, I'm sure loads of people think they're being patriotic buying MINIs, not realising that many are made in China or elsewhere...
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UK vehicle making hits lowest level since 1953 - CGNorwich
