The Motor Industry Of Great Britain

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

"The story is taken back to the beginnings of the motor car . . . Labour relations and management policy are analysed in detail, as is the impact of government policy. Particular attention is paid to national demand conditions and to demand shocks as formataive influences"--Book jacket.

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.

Originally published in 1959, this book was one of the first to give a comprehensive view of the motor industry from an economic standpoint. Although the book concentrates on the UK motor industry, many references are made to that of the USA and other leading automobile manufacturers. Among the subjects discussed are the structure of the British motor industry, the demand for vehicles, the structure of costs, economies of large-scale production, the nature of competition and profits and sources of funds.