This morning, Prime Minister David Cameron hosted a breakfast meeting in Downing Street with the Board of Directors of the European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association (ACEA) to discuss the growing confidence in the UK automotive industry. ACEA represents some of the biggest car, truck and bus manufacturers at European and this is the first time the Board of Directors has come to the UK.
The Prime Minister told ACEA Directors that it had been a “very good week” for the UK automotive industry, with today’s announcement by BMW following positive news from Nissan and Aston Martin earlier in the week.
Mr Cameron added, “It’s very much part of our ambition as a government to rebalance our economy. We’ve been too reliant on financial services, too reliant on one part of the country. We want to see more manufacturing, and I’m delighted that so many automotive manufacturers are bringing production and supply chain onshore. We want to do everything we can to encourage that.”
The Prime Minister’s meeting with ACEA comes ahead of its annual conference, which is to be held for the first time in the UK at SMMT in London.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said the conference demonstrated “the growing international recognition of our automotive industry and the interest in our national ambition to generate growth in the whole advanced manufacturing sector”.
Mr Cable added, “The competitiveness of automotive manufacturing in this country is shown by the commitment of the biggest global firms to make serious investments in long-term production here and as a Government we are determined to make sure this success story remains a big part of the future economic growth we must secure.”
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said, “The UK motor industry is globally competitive and an engine for economic growth. New investments demonstrate the commitment of international investors, safeguard thousands of jobs and open up opportunities for companies at all levels of the supply chain.
“Industry and government must continue to strengthen our partnership to maintain and increase investment in vital areas of R&D, skills and capital equipment.”
For more detail on the scale and significance of UK automotive, download the 2011 Motor Industry Facts publication.
