- 12 month review leads to change at DTI
- Direct funding for specific projects
- Joint approach to develop industry
Twelve months ago the motor industry and government began a
project to identify the best way of working together to ensure a strong future
for the automotive sector. Today, senior figures in the motor industry met to
discuss the outcome with the Prime Minister at Number 10 Downing Street.
Nick Reilly CBE, SMMT President and Chairman of Vauxhall Motors,
commented on the results:
‘The whole industry welcomes this most positive outcome from
a year of dialogue as all parties worked to ensure a strong and vibrant automotive
sector continues to develop in the UK.
‘Practical outcomes are needed to address real world challenges
and the re-focusing of the Automotive Unit at the DTI shows that the government
has taken on board the needs of the industry.
‘The planned development of an Automotive Academy, support
for Supply Chain Groups and the establishment of two Centres of Automotive Excellence
in the UK are tangible results of the excellent work led by Sir Ian Gibson CBE
and the Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (AIGT).
‘This pioneering approach in the automotive sector is now being
considered as a model for other industries and I would urge them to grasp the
opportunity with both hands and engage with government to secure a stronger
relationship.’
Key recommendations of the report from the AIGT include:
- The establishment of an Automotive Academy to take the lead
in process improvement activities across the automotive sector - Increased funding for Supply Chain Groups allowing them
to work across regional boundaries. Supply Chain Groups provide expert support
for firms involved in the production of a particular component to help them
work together to improve efficiency. - Setting up a pilot mobility services project in London
and another city with the aims of accelerating the adoption of low pollution
vehicles and demonstrating new approaches to providing mobility. - The establishment of Centres of Automotive Excellence to
take forward work in the key areas of Low Carbon and Fuel Cell technologies,
Transport Telematics and Technologies for Sustainable Mobility.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- The Automotive Innovation and Growth Team was made up of
representatives from the automotive industry including the supply chain, senior
officials from government, academics and other industry stakeholders. Sir
Ian Gibson, CBE was President of SMMT from 1999-2000 and was asked to chair
the AIGT by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry. - Since the last meeting with the Prime Minister at Number
10 Downing Street, the motor industry has worked closely with government.
This has delivered a number of key benefits including the establishment of
a Memorandum of Understanding between key departments on the handling of regulations
that impact on the sector. It sets out best practice and responsibilities
on DTI, DTLR and DEFRA to ensure that the sector’s well-being is taken into
account in determining the policy positions on all relevant legislation. - The automotive sector is now recognised by government as
ground-breaking in its approach to the future with a number of pioneering
initiatives including development of the Sustainability Strategy, voluntary
commitment to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions, the SMMT Industry Forum
partnership with DTI and the pedestrian protection negotiated agreement. - Full details of the announcement can be found at www.dti.gov.uk
