Cant help but wondering why we are helping other countries out by our goverment subsidising their car production?? Why can't Brown have the balls to come up with some scheme or incentive for car manufacturers to actually PRODUCE DESIGN and DEVELOPE cars in this country, by all means give incentives to Jaguar,Land Rover,Vauxhall, Nissan, Toyota.Honda, Mini etc that actually create jobs in this country... but what do the french car manufacturers and VW, Audi,Merc,BMW etc to for this country?? - not much. Who is Saab's biggest market?? not the US - but UK .... why can't the Government 'persuede' them to invest in this country?? I work in the car industry and have worked in Germany, sweden and Italy and believe me we still are regarded as 'treasure island'.... the plant in washington proves we can get it right - its the most productive car plant in europe. Call it protectism if you want but other countries do it...... GM europe is in talks with Fiat, who in turn are in talks with the German government... its common knowledge that GM have 3 production plants too many in europe and the least productive are all in Germany - the two in UK have been stripped bare and very productive - but the plants in 'surprise surprise' Luton or elsmere port will get binned.... So protectism does exist on certain levels - I like the french, they don't take any crap and openly protect their own - Peugot closed a plant in Coventry, more productive then the franch ones, but in England not France so tough titty.... This country should be more 'nationalistic' in its brand buying.... if you think thats wrong, take a look at France and Germany....
We dont have a government that have any political will to stand up for the best interests of this country, its industries or its indigenous tax payers.
The Car Scrapping' scheme is a bit of a con. The government give up to two thousand pounds, but recoup what they give in VAT. So in effect it does'nt cost them much. Perhaps if we were all to buy UK made cars it would help our economy. Ruling out the Fiats, Mercs, BMW, VW, Citroen, Saab, Porsche, etc etc. For UK based manufacturers there is a wide choice of decent motors.
Theres more money it for the government from cars not built in this country. Taxes to get cars into the country and taxes on the companies that sell the cars. German cars are the most popular for a reason. Quality. I wouldnt touch cars manufactured in this country, english companies or not. It would never work if you didnt give people the chance to choose the car they want.
RE: Theres more money it for the government from cars not built in this country. I would dispute the foreign cars are 'quality' bit. UK manufactured Toyota Range Rovers are quality, and so are the Nissans made here. I have had problems with Mercs and Porsche in the past. Perhaps the best for quality and reliability is the Japanese manufactured cars.
You're missing my point... ... its about creating jobs for british people. As for the quality issue - given the right tools this country can produce the same if not better quality then any country - the reason our car companies failed was poor management and poorer government - can you imagine a german or french government letting their car makers go to the wall - no chance. The english engineer,designer and stylists are generally very highly thought of in europe - go into any design developement center in europe and its got a disperportionate amount of brits. The reason Ford hacked its plant in essex to bits and transferred everything except engine build to Cologne was its was cheaper to - the british worker got shafted and our 'europoean' partners pissed themselves. For decades the car manufacturers have made 'imported' cars to britain more expensive then europe mainland - why? - cause it can... simple. Brown is staggering round like some punch drunk boxer desperate for some 'jack in the box' policies that will ignite the british voting public.... a pair of balls would a good start
RE: You're missing my point... Got to say I totally agree with you! But unfortunately the government have jumped on the bandwagon. Germany were the first to roll out this scheme and it was hugely successful. But who sells the most cars in Germany? VW group! (even though I work for them) The UK still get money from taxes and the like for importing vehicles into the country. So they still benefit but not as much as producing cars here. They didnt even help LDV the Uk's last UK owned vehicle manufactor! The british motor industry is alas no more. Killed by a combination of poor management at BL & Rover. And lack of government support. Just imagine the UK economy with a thriving motor industry? The country would be in a much better state. Just to point out they arnt giving £2000 for each car it's only £1000. The rest is made up by the manufactor and dealer contributions. Dean
"LDV the Uk's last UK owned vehicle manufactor" It was Russian owned and those same Russian owners deliberately bloominged a decent company to get free cash from the Government. They Government did not oblige. I'd have helped 'em out. By Nationalising the fecker.....
RE: "LDV the Uk's last UK owned vehicle manufactor" Wasnt aware of that. Just goes to show I must have been asleep for a few years! Hate bloody vans anyway.
RE: Do VW have any production facilities here? VW have factorys in Belguim/Germany/Spain/Czech Rep/Brazil/Mexico/USA. Cant remember any more off the top of my head? Dean
I work in the car industry.....just and the list of cars you named we produce parts for (BMW Renault Volvo etc) so its not all black and white,somthing like 70% of a BMW is japanese
RE: Is it true that... They did up until recently. As far as I'm aware the Fox is built there instead. I did hear a small company had the rights to build the Beetle in small numbers. But It's from 2nd hand info. Dean
RE: I work in the car industry.....just I think some people would be amazed how many components are made in the UK. For example I know for a fact cables for doors/handbrakes ect are made in Donny. Dean
RE: Are the bearings made for a BMW at the Koyo factory in Dodworth Forged in Japan or Romania and machined in the UK
None in the UK... They own Bently tho - as a result a lot of 'commonisation' as taken place... that means whatever they can ship back to germany, they do.... great isn,t it
RE: I work in the car industry.....just I know what you're saying, but being a small supplier and actually building the cars and a long way apart.... by the very fact you are a supplier means that you're at the mercy of the purchasing departments of these car manufacturers.... and because you supply today doesn't mean you will be supplying tomorrow.... unfortunately. Cars built in this country would use more suppliers from this country by the very fact of ecomonics....