Volume car makers

Volume Car Manufacturers led the drive for exports through the fifties and into the sixties.

The British motor industry boomed as it strove to meet the target set by government for an export drive to balance the nation’s books. This hive of activity hid the twin problems of complacency by management and unofficial union action which would bring down governments.

I explore the rise and fall of British Leyland. Bad choices led to an indigenous industry being replaced by foreign owned motor companies set up with government support. Nissan in Sunderland is thriving and Mini at Oxford looks secure.

The major challenge now is the move to electric vehicles where Britain lags far behind in the construction of Giga Factories for the vital batteries.

The image is of a Humber estate at the British Motor Museum