prospects for UK automotive industry ; The global shortage of some components caused by the tsunami in Japan failed to dent the performance of the UK’s automotive sector, which remains in good health, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
“Despite the difficulties caused by supply shortages from Japan, UK automotive production dropped by just 4.9% in May,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “Recent announcements demonstrate the commitment being made by global vehicle manufacturers to the UK motor industry. These will secure future production and jobs, as well as opening up new opportunities for the UK-based supply chain.”
The first half of 2011 saw 12 high-profile announcements relating to investment, production, employment and new models from UK-based automotive companies.
2 February 2011 – McLaren Automotive – First McLaren MP4-12C high-performance sports car entered into production at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
2 March 2011 – Jaguar Land Rover – Supply contracts in excess of £2bn for the new Range Rover Evoque awarded to more than 40 UK-based companies.
24 March 2011 – Opel/ Vauxhall – Confirmed Luton as the manufacturing site for the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro light commercial vehicle, which will enter into production in 2013.
28 March 2011 – Tata Motors – Announced engineering and technology expansion plans at its Tata Motors’ European Technical Centre (TMETC) in Warwickshire – facilities at the centre are expected to increase by 40% by 2013.
11 April 2011 – Aston Martin – Announced new city car, the Cygnet, will be produced at its Gaydon facility in Warwickshire, creating approximately 150 jobs and more within the UK’s supply chain. The Cygnet is the eleventh major new production car that Aston Martin has bought to the UK facility since it was founded in 2004.
13 April 2011 – MG – Announced new MG6 GT sports fastback will be designed, engineered and finally assembled at its UK-based production facility in Longbridge, Birmingham – 400 jobs safeguarded.
29 April 2011 – Jaguar Land Rover – £490m investment in its Solihul manufacturing plant to build C-X75 all-hybrid supercar – 4,500 jobs created, 85% UK-sourced parts.
5 May 2011 – Optare – Unveiled its new manufacturing facility in Elmet, Yorkshire, with the capability to manufacture approximately 1,200 buses annually. Some 400 jobs safeguarded and the facility will be the first new bus assembly plant to open in the UK in almost 40 years.
6 June 2011 – Aston Martin – Four-door Rapide sports car will enter into production at its facility in Gaydon, Warwickshire, from the second half of 2012.
7 June 2011 – Toyota – The world’s first large scale solar panel installation for mass vehicle production at its Derbyshire plant. The panels will generate sufficient electricity to manufacture 7,000 cars and save 2,000 tonnes of CO2 annually. The panels will be used in the manufacturing of the Auris hybrid, Auris and Avensis models at the UK plant.
8 June 2011 – Nissan – £192m investment to design, engineer and build the new Qashqai in the UK. More than 6,000 jobs safeguarded and 43% UK sourced parts. Additionally, £420m confirmed investment in Sunderland plant for the production of the Nissan Leaf from 2013 and for a new stand-alone facility to produce lithium-ion batteries for Renault and Nissan vehicles from 2012.
9 June 2011 – BMW Group – £500m investment in new facilities and equipment at Oxford assembly plant, engine plant in Hams Hall, near Birmingham, and pressings plant in Swindon. UK confirmed as a production location for its next generation Mini models and more than 5,000 jobs safeguarded. Launches of Mini Coupé in 2011 and Mini Roadster in 2012 and both will be built in the UK.
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