UK automotive manufacturing industry decline
Discussion
Just starting research into an assignment I've been given, the title provided was "Analyse those factors that influenced the contraction in the UK automotive manufacturing industry". Anyone have any recommended reading for me or which journals may have useful information?
Feel free to give your opinion, but my intent is to just to get guidance on sources and hear some various views; I'm not looking for anyone to give me too much detail.
Feel free to give your opinion, but my intent is to just to get guidance on sources and hear some various views; I'm not looking for anyone to give me too much detail.
Edited by leon_t on Saturday 29th November 14:56
Super Slo Mo said:
Might the op actually be referring to the 70's and 80's when the uk auto industry wasn't at its best? I know its not clear from the opening post.
The problem is that the assignment has the title as quoted, but my understanding (from my limited knowledge) is that the majority of the decline described was actually the British-owned companies eg BMC failing during the 70s and 80s, while the auto manufacturing industry has actually strengthened in the last couple of decades when you consider foreign-owned plants within the UK and more advanced parts industries/ R&D. However, I need to do some more research to determine if this can be proven & the documented reasons behind the changes in the industry. Hence the request for reading material, as I know there are other members on here from within the industry who will have a much better knowledge and can give some guidance.leon_t said:
Just starting research into an assignment on the factors influencing the decline in the UK automotive manufacturing industry..
What sort of "research" starts off which such a loaded brief?Should it not be research into the state of UK automotive industry studying he facts and coming to a conclusion as to whether it' in good shape or otherwise?
Dracoro said:
What sort of "research" starts off which such a loaded brief?
Should it not be research into the state of UK automotive industry studying he facts and coming to a conclusion as to whether it' in good shape or otherwise?
Agreed, I wasn't clear in the OP, I've been tasked with writing a report using an already provided title, my mistake for not clearly marking it as such . I have briefly discussed it with the lecturer and she indicated she wouldn't be opposed to me offering a different point of view/ analysis. The marking for the report is more based on analysis and evaluation of source material, referencing methods and variety of sources etc.Should it not be research into the state of UK automotive industry studying he facts and coming to a conclusion as to whether it' in good shape or otherwise?
In which case your opening section needs to be something like :
' it is inaccurate to say that the motor trade in the UK is on decline ; in fact more cars are produced in the UK today than at any point in the past. The British owned manufacturers have declined heavily since the 70s until the 90s dissappearing or falling into foreign ownership. As a result it is this period I will investigate, rather than the earlier and later periods of growth "
I'd suggest the association of motor manufacturers or the engineering institutions as sources.
' it is inaccurate to say that the motor trade in the UK is on decline ; in fact more cars are produced in the UK today than at any point in the past. The British owned manufacturers have declined heavily since the 70s until the 90s dissappearing or falling into foreign ownership. As a result it is this period I will investigate, rather than the earlier and later periods of growth "
I'd suggest the association of motor manufacturers or the engineering institutions as sources.
Ask for clarification of the brief, because it would be improper to use that title on a paper which covers up to the present day. If, however, it's intended to cover a specific period of history then the title is fine..
I really hope it's the latter. Some people are bloody ignorant of the incredible industry we have in this country today, but I do hope nobody is misleading young people by specifically setting coursework which directly states a booming sector is in fact in decline.
I really hope it's the latter. Some people are bloody ignorant of the incredible industry we have in this country today, but I do hope nobody is misleading young people by specifically setting coursework which directly states a booming sector is in fact in decline.
mcdjl said:
In which case your opening section needs to be something like :
' it is inaccurate to say that the motor trade in the UK is on decline ; in fact more cars are produced in the UK today than at any point in the past. The British owned manufacturers have declined heavily since the 70s until the 90s dissappearing or falling into foreign ownership. As a result it is this period I will investigate, rather than the earlier and later periods of growth "
I'd suggest the association of motor manufacturers or the engineering institutions as sources.
Thanks, think I'm going to have to discuss in more detail with the lecturer which approach to take, otherwise I risk losing marks for using older references/ not having the right mix of sources or for incorrectly interpreting the brief if I only focus on the last decade or two.' it is inaccurate to say that the motor trade in the UK is on decline ; in fact more cars are produced in the UK today than at any point in the past. The British owned manufacturers have declined heavily since the 70s until the 90s dissappearing or falling into foreign ownership. As a result it is this period I will investigate, rather than the earlier and later periods of growth "
I'd suggest the association of motor manufacturers or the engineering institutions as sources.
Depends how heavy you want to get which is a function of your course and the words you have to write.
Quantify the numbers first so get numbers for uk and global sales volumes over time. Only through that can you quantify the key periods of change.
I'd also want to refine the question, uk owned, uk produced.
I'd be inclined to talk about key shifts so as others have said the general political climate in the 70s and 80s and look for external political drivers like the dominance of the unions. You can also look at product ethos - there was a to programme with Robbie Coltrane that talked about US cars with v8 at the time we had tiny 4 cylinder cars - and the Japanese cars that dont break down - one of the many top gear films I recall had a Datsun beat certain brutish cars around a track 30 years on.. In fact I think that show was about the decline of the uk market and how it was reborn. I think it was only about 2 years ago.
The final thing you might want to do is focus on one company and research it's changes over time, ford, Vauxhall, Nissan or Honda would be examples, or pick jaguar and you can then speculate on their venture with Cherry in China and what that might mean
Quantify the numbers first so get numbers for uk and global sales volumes over time. Only through that can you quantify the key periods of change.
I'd also want to refine the question, uk owned, uk produced.
I'd be inclined to talk about key shifts so as others have said the general political climate in the 70s and 80s and look for external political drivers like the dominance of the unions. You can also look at product ethos - there was a to programme with Robbie Coltrane that talked about US cars with v8 at the time we had tiny 4 cylinder cars - and the Japanese cars that dont break down - one of the many top gear films I recall had a Datsun beat certain brutish cars around a track 30 years on.. In fact I think that show was about the decline of the uk market and how it was reborn. I think it was only about 2 years ago.
The final thing you might want to do is focus on one company and research it's changes over time, ford, Vauxhall, Nissan or Honda would be examples, or pick jaguar and you can then speculate on their venture with Cherry in China and what that might mean
McWigglebum4th said:
Decline? Go find out the year we built the most cars. Then return
To deny the decline of the "domestic" motor industry is utterly fatuous.The industry was destroyed because customers didn't want cars of outdated design and poor quality construction. The answer to the OPs question lies in the explanations for those massive problems.
The history of Detroit in USA makes a very similar case study.
Dracoro said:
Should it not be research into the state of UK automotive industry studying he facts and coming to a conclusion as to whether it' in good shape or otherwise?
Well, only if you've failed to notice already the disappearance of Austin, Rover, MG, Wolseley, Riley, BL, Triumph, Sterling, Dodge, ERF, Foden, TVR, Bristol, Jensen, Panther, Austin-Healey, Bond, Marcos etc etcNames like Toyota, Honda and Nissan used to stand for laughable Japanese rubbish.
Which brings us back to the great Lotus conundrum....
Ozzie Osmond said:
To deny the decline of the "domestic" motor industry is utterly fatuous.
Especially given that UK total car production is very nearly at, and likely to exceed, the previous historical high (1972, btw).The only difference is that the companies building the cars aren't British-owned any more, but if the question relates to the UK automotive manufacturing industry, then the answer is that it's pretty much as healthy as it's ever been...
Jon1967x said:
McWigglebum4th said:
For an educational establishment
Thatcher screwed the country
there you go 100% pass
A country is comprised of people, unions represent the people.. Thatcher screwed the unions therefore you are correct. Things were so much better before she did that Thatcher screwed the country
there you go 100% pass
telecat said:
Thatcher left a lot of Industries in better health than she found them. Even John Major's Government didn't do a bad job. Subsequent Labour Governments decided to take away the safeguards in a dash for cash leaving the mess we have today.
I believe the last Labour government will go down as one of the worst in history - millions of unwanted immigrants, explosion of gap between rich and poor, destruction of the British home ownership dream which had grown for eight decades in succession, and a labour market where zero hours contracts from employers are subsidised by so called tax credits from the tax payer.thelawnet said:
telecat said:
Thatcher left a lot of Industries in better health than she found them. Even John Major's Government didn't do a bad job. Subsequent Labour Governments decided to take away the safeguards in a dash for cash leaving the mess we have today.
I believe the last Labour government will go down as one of the worst in history - millions of unwanted immigrants, explosion of gap between rich and poor, destruction of the British home ownership dream which had grown for eight decades in succession, and a labour market where zero hours contracts from employers are subsidised by so called tax credits from the tax payer.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff