A concise 1995 review of the strengths and weaknesses of the British motor industry during the one hundred years since its foundation.

A fascinating and well-researched look at the British motor industry which will appeal to both academic readers and practitioners alike. Why are there now no major car manufacturers in Britain? Whisler considers this and the surrounding issues, making valuable comparisons with overseas manufacturers operating both in the UK and abroad, which provide us with additional interest and insight. Based upon careful use of company archives, this book covers in particular the issues of product development, quality, design, and range, ensuring that The British Motor Industry is destined to make a distinctive contribution to our understanding of the performance of UK manufacturers.

This work records the full centenary history of the British motor industry from 1896, when the first British-built vehicle was produced in series for sale to the public, until the present day.

First published in 1980, this book considers the British motor industry over the period between 1945 and 1979, analysing the ways in which the industry suffered a considerable decline in the post-war era, when compared to motor industries of other countries or to most other British industries. Rather than blaming labour and management, as has frequently been the case, the author argues that the decline can be traced back to poor government policy. Tracing how, when and where government policies affected the industry, the book examines policies clearly directed at the motor industry, such as transport legislation and motor taxation. In addition the work considers the consequences of many policies which were targeted only indirectly at the motor industry as the author argues that whilst government policy may have succeeded in its aim, e.g. improving employment for the balance of payments, the motor industry may have suffered as a consequence. Written in non-technical language, the reissue will be of interest to those concerned with post-war UK economic development, the UK motor industry in particular and the history of government policy in general.

Providing a history of the British car industry from 1945 to 2005, James Ruppert profiles one family who have bought British throughout this tumultuous period for the UK automotive sector.

Economic analysis of the motor vehicle industry in the UK - recounts the historical evolution of the industry, covers the industrial structure of the automobile industry and the truck industry, the supply and demand for motor vehicles, competition, financial aspects, exports, labour relations, etc., and includes a comparison of development in the USA and elsewhere. References and statistical tables.

Cover page -- Halftitle page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Title page -- Copyright page -- FOREWORD -- CONTENTS -- CHAPTER I Historical Introduction -- CHAPTER II Structure of the Industry -- CHAPTER III The Demand for Vehicles -- CHAPTER IV Technique of Production -- CHAPTER V The Structure of Costs -- CHAPTER VI Economies of Large-scale Production -- CHAPTER VII Competition in the Car Market, 1929-1956 -- CHAPTER VIII The Nature of Competition in the Industry -- CHAPTER IX Profits and Sources of Funds -- CHAPTER X Future Prospects -- CHAPTER XI Conclusions -- APPENDIX A The Capital-Output Ratio in the Motor Industry -- APPENDIX B Comparative Productivity and Prices in the British and American Motor Industries -- APPENDIX C The Relative Prices of British and Continental Cars -- APPENDIX D STATISTICAL TABLES -- LIST OF CHARTS FIGURES AND TABLES -- INDEX.