There was an extensive trepidation in the auto sector in UK when Ford stopped manufacturing vehicles at its Dagenham Plant in 2002. Everyone was bit concerned about the future of automotive industry in UK and thought that the auto sector would suffer a hollowing out after Ford’s decision of suspending its manufacturing facilities. GM decided to stop building the Vectra, Insignia’s D-segment predecessor at Luton while the stress of low-wage rivalry from East Europe, MG Rover’s successive travails and PSA’s shutting of Royton appeared to back up fears over the auto sector.
The support of the UK as a centre of excellence for engine manufacturing is now changing its perspectives as a new statement from Bentley about its Crewe headquarters. Bentley said that it is to become the core of distinction for the Volkswagen Group. They would be responsible for all W12 engine manufacturing from the end of 2014. Bentley served to further highlight the strength of the engine manufacturing sector of UK. Calum MacRae considers this rapidly increasing sector and its projections.
Ford has pledge to convert its Dagenham plant into a global centre for the production of Ford diesel engines. However, current vehicle manufacturing triumph stories should not redirect from the significance of engine building to the UK’s auto sector. In spite of everything, engines chip in between 25-40% of a vehicle’s list of material, and their producer is significant in filling and supporting the extensive automotive value chain. So the significance of engine producer in supporting a country’s automotive sector is clear, but how is UK’s engine building sector fare? In 2013, according to the SMMT, UK engine manufacturing raised 2.3% to 2,553,316 units and it is the preeminent total since 2008, with volume productivity beyond that of cars but escalation was at the back of the car sector’s 3.1% increase.
Ford has given its words to support engine industry in UK and they are contributing from Dagenham and Bridgend plants with more than 50% of total engine units produced by any manufacturer. Both production facilities are building 691k and 589k respectively.
