TECHNOLOGY AND THE UK AUTOMOBILE INDUSTRY

Against the background of changes in the world automobile industry, the author discusses the UK automobile industry, outlining three phases: first a period of expansion, including the formation of British Leyland (B1) until 1972/3, then a phase of recession and recovery, ending in 1979, followed by a phase of retrenchment and adaptation. Reasons for the fall of BL's market share are discussed. Product design and competitiveness of Ford and BL are compared. The increasing dominance of the Japanese industry, the rapid growth of research and development in Japan and the increase of Japanese automotive patenting are discussed. UK production technology and efficiency and the use of automation are discussed. In the author's opinion the prospects for the UK industry depend largely on BL, the key for survival being flexible management with good internal communications, combined with technical experience gained from cooperation with Japanese manufacturers. A balance should be maintained in BL-Honda collaboration So that BL retains an independent capability in key areas. The author also considers that a pressing problem is the survival of the UK components industry, which must be ensured. (TRRL)

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/0024547X
• Corporate Authors:

  Lloyds Bank Limited

  71 Lombard Street
  London,   England 
• Authors:
  • Jones, D T
• Publication Date: 1983

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 14-27
• Serial:
  • Publication of: Lloyds Bank Limited
  • Volume: 148
  • Publisher: Lloyds Bank Limited
  • ISSN: 0024-547X

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic control; Automation; Automobile industry; Automobiles; Demand; Economic efficiency; Economics; Federal government; Forecasting; Foreign; Governments; Industries; Investments; Lacustrine deposits; Manufactures; Policy; Transportation; Vehicle components
• Uncontrolled Terms: Efficiency
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 3882: Automatic; 1243: Car; 285: Demand (econ); 5911: Efficiency; 132: Forecast; 183: Government (national); 332: Industry; 227: Investment; 3647: Manufacture; 173: Policy; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Economics; Policy; Society; Transportation (General); Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration; I91: Vehicle Design and Safety;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00389508
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 30 1984 12:00AM