Could Britain once again be a leader in green car technology?
Honda Swindon factory
Once upon a time, the British automobile industry was a force to be reckoned with, though more recently it has shrunk to a mere shell of its former self. Most of the factories that remain in the country are now owned by foreign companies including traditional British marques like Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin in addition to Nissan and Honda. Now that the auto industry is being transformed by the move to electrification and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, some industry veterans want to use the opportunity revive a native industry.
Former Ford executive Richard Parry-Jones, chairman of the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team, wants the UK government to set up a joint Automotive Council with industry to promote the development of next-generation technology. Parry-Jones wants British workers to be trained in the development and manufacturing of green technology and feels the development of homegrown tech could create 100,000 new jobs. Eventually, the hope is that a new set of low-carbon British automakers could rise from the ashes of a decimated industry.
[Source: AutoCar]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike Z 3:03PM (5/11/2009)
I'm sorry, but in a nation where $8/gal gas is common there is clearly enough free market incentive to drive this technology.
After all, how much money did Tesla get from the US government so far?
This is merely an international example of poorly run companies or companies that require subsides as part of their business plan pushing for tax payer money on the premise that it will create 'green jobs'
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jharlan 4:56PM (5/11/2009)
If you're just talking about it now, The Germans have a biiiiig head start on you.
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Scorch 8:23AM (5/12/2009)
A new set of low-carbon British automakers? Unlikely. I couldn't imagine trying to start a car company in a country that is doing everything it can to discourage personal car usage, even if it is low-carbon. It's hard enough for the established companies as it is, I just couldn't imagine trying to start a car company in such a hostile business environment.
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Joe Blurton 10:17AM (5/12/2009)
I just thought I mention that Aston Martin was sold by Ford to a consortium of businessmen from Britain and the Middle East, so its inclusion in a list of "foreign-owned" makers is at least partially inaccurate.
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Bill 12:46PM (5/12/2009)
British electric cars, anybody?
OK, sorry, I know, that was 30-50 years ago. When "the British automobile industry was a force to be reckoned with." No doubt they've got it figured out by now.
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Bill 12:47PM (5/12/2009)
What's worse than making a bad joke? Formatting it so it gets edited out.
After the initial sentence, it was supposed to say "Insert standard Lucas electrics joke here".