Motortrades Insight Magazine Online Subscribe About Us Contact Us Motortrades Insight - Motoring News, Articles & Interviews Home Finance Reviews Under The Hood Motorsport Business Profiles Archive Related Tags: Richard Burden, Richard Burden Blog, uk automotive industry, british grand prix, silverstone Government must fuel UK automotive ambition after 'thrilling' British Grand Prix, says MP By: Richard Burden Ref:A0489 Published: 9 July 2013

british gp

Just two weeks ago, the world’s fiercest and fastest racing drivers returned to Silverstone for what turned out to be a thrilling British Grand Prix. While our exceptional British drivers have had mixed fortunes on the track this season, for me the return of Formula One to our shores is always an ideal opportunity to recognise British success in automotive more widely. 

Jumping from continent to continent Formula One can seem like a world away, but in fact we are home to eight of the eleven teams. Most of the factories, including reigning champions Red Bull, are based between West Midlands and Oxfordshire in the UK’s “Motorsport Valley”.

Our prowess for car building is not just exclusive to motorsport. The automotive industry happens to be the country’s largest sector in terms of exports. With demand from Asia, America and everywhere in between, the automotive sector employs over 700,000 people in jobs ranging from design and repair to ultra low carbon innovation. The perception that UK car manufacturing is in decline is certainly worth questioning. 

british gp

But, as Chair of the All-Party Motor Group (APMG) and MP for Birmingham Northfield where automotive is party of the area’s heritage, I know that we can’t be complacent. Protecting and strengthening the automotive sector for the future requires concerted action. 

This week the APMG publishes its annual report, Fuelling Ambition: Investment and Strategic Direction for UK Automotive. In it we not only recognise the success of the UK car industry as a leading location for inward investment, but outline the importance of seizing new opportunities for future growth. Formally launched in the House of Commons on the 9 July, and submitted in advance to ministers, shadow ministers and the Business, Science and Treasury Select Committees, it provides a summary of our meetings over the past year, and highlights our recommendations to the Government.

Central to the conclusions we drew from discussions with business leaders, academics and trade officials over the past year was the need for the government to fuel the ambition of UK automotive. The forthcoming release of the Government ‘s automotive strategy, which provides a comprehensive strategic framework for the industry, must now be supported with sustained investment and  commitment for the long term. 

mercedes history

Overseas expansion will be crucial. The Government must focus on reducing barriers to trade and finalising priority trade deals – such as the much talked one between the US and the EU.  Securing deals with emerging markets, such as the rapidly growing economies of Korea and Brazil, must also be a priority. 

The cross-party group of MPs and Lords also call on the Government to back research and innovation into future growth opportunities - such as sustainable technologies and evolving driver trends - with investment now.

We know the UK is in pole position to accelerate its growth. But as is the case in Formula One, a driver is only as good as the team around him. For the automotive industry to continue excelling the Government must continue to play a central part.

Richard Burden is the MP for Birmingham Northfield. He chairs the all-party motor group in Parliament, which seeks to address issues of strategic importance to the UK automotive industry and promotes dialogue between politicians, the industry and vehicle users.  Follow @RichardBurdenMP on twitter.

Related Articles // More Like This dummyChair of the All Party Parliamentary Motor Group – An Introduction by Richard Burden MP Welcome to my first column. I’m excited to start sharing my parliamentary perspective with Motortrades Insight, and the online automotive community. As a West Midlands MP with Longbridge in my constdummyRichard Burden MP on 'Driving Success' - the new vision for the UK's motor industry In addition to granting us some beautiful weather, Summer 2013 has also shone a light on one of the brightest industries the UK has to offer – automotive. On 12 July 2013 ‘Driving Success’, the firsdummyToyota gives UK automotive industry a boost with start of production of new Auris Touring Sports Toyota opened a new chapter in its European operations today with the official start of production of the new Auris Touring Sports at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Burnaston car plant. The Rt Hon P 123     « Previous ArticleNext Article » Subscribe to MotorTrades insight As featured on NewsNow: Motoring news News 24/7 MotorTrades Insight are now official news providers for NewsNow. Top Stories // This Week 226803-uninsured-drivers-the-shocking-number-of-motorists-breaking-the-law226,803 uninsured drivers: the shocking number of motorists breaking the law.  226,803 drivers in the UK have points on their licence for driving without insurance, according to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).The FOI request... jeremy-clarkson-james-may-and-richard-hammonds-top-gear-episode-3-pictures-revealed-as-liverpool-to-make-the-bac-monoJeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond's Top Gear Episode 3 Pictures revealed as Liverpool to make the BAC .  Liverpool’s automotive industry is receiving a major boost with the announcement that the world''s first road-legal, single-seater production car is to be manufactured in the city.Last Sunday’s edit... lewis-hamilton-and-nico-rosberg-wow-crowds-at-goodwood-festival-of-speedLewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg wow crowds at Goodwood Festival of Speed.  Mercedes Formula One drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg wowed tens of thousands of spectators at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend.Taking it in turns behind the wheel of the Mercedes ... germanys-313mpg-volkswagen-xl1-makes-london-debut-on-its-way-to-coronation-festivalGermany’s 313mpg Volkswagen XL1 makes London debut on its way to Coronation Festival.  Volkswagen’s futuristic XL1, the world’s most fuel-efficient production hybrid car, took to the streets of the capital yesterday.The two-seat diesel-electric hybrid, which achieves a fuel consumptio... automotive-industry-aims-to-drive-up-fuel-efficiency-and-drive-down-motoring-costs-for-britains-drivers-as-bentley-continues-to-growAutomotive industry aims to drive up fuel efficiency and drive down motoring costs for Britain's drivers as Bentley.  As Bentley Motors today announced its global sales so far this year have grown a whopping nine per cent in comparison to 2012, the automotive industry has today begun its drive to help UK motorists ... pepe-reina-set-to-splash-out-on-new-ferrari-or-lamborghini-after-shock-loan-move-to-napoliPepe Reina set to splash out on new Ferrari or Lamborghini after shock loan move to Napoli.  Liverpool legend Pepe Reina could be set to splash out on a brand new top-of-the-range Ferrari or Lamborghini, after his shock loan move to Napoli. The Spanish international, who has been loyal... ferrari-shows-true-speed-at-goodwoods-20th-anniversaryFerrari shows true speed at Goodwood's 20th Anniversary.  Although the excitement of the 20th Anniversary of the Goodwood Festival of Speed is over for another year, Ferrari fans will have many memories on which to reflect until next year’s event. Ferrari ... margaret-thatcher-we-must-have-secret-ballots-to-save-motorhome-industry-after-hearing-of-strike-at-southampton-ford-transit-plantMargaret Thatcher: ‘We must have secret ballots’ to save motorhome industry, after hearing of strike at Southampton.  Richard Holdsworth, the founder and owner of the now defunct Holdsworth Motorhomes, has spoken of how Margaret Thatcher insisted on trying out the new Holdsworth Ford motorhome and his personal stor... road-casualties-down-ten-per-cent-with-190-fewer-fatalities-but-drink-driving-accidents-increase-by-26Road casualties down ten per cent with 190 fewer fatalities but drink driving accidents increase by 26%.  The latest Department for Transport road casualty statistics show a welcomed decrease in casualties for vulnerable road users, but the government must ‘ram home the message that drink driving kills’... salon-priv-to-host-hyper-car-lawn-this-september-including-the-pagani-huayra-and-koenigsegg-agera-rSalon Privé to host 'hyper car lawn' this September including the Pagani Huayra and Koenigsegg Agera R.  Salon Privé has announced a new addition to the show for 2013 – a stunning and unrivalled-in-the-UK collection of ''hyper cars''.The first manufacturers to sign up to this new collection with their ... tottenham-hotspurs-roberto-soldado-set-to-buy-aston-martin-volante-to-celebrate-264m-move-as-spurs-aim-to-win-premier-leagueTottenham Hotspur's Roberto Soldado set to buy Aston Martin Volante to celebrate £26.4m move as Spurs aim to win Pr.  Roberto Soldado has been signed to move to North London and join Tottenham Hotspur next season for a bargain £26.4m, but he'll be aiming to win more than simply titles and screamer goals. Having sco...  Company Info // Get in Touch © Motortrades Insight Limited 2012 - 2013 Tel: 0844 656 1808 Email: accounts@motortradesinsight.co.uk Motortrades Insight Limited trading as motortradesinsight.co.uk Registered Address The Coach House Baddow Park West Hanningfield Road Great Baddow Chelmsford Essex CM2 7SY Company Reg: 07302221 VAT No: 120173663 Links // On The Web >> >> Subscribe to Mailing List >> Advertise on Motortrades Insight >> Motorsport News >> >> Motoring Industry News >> Blog >> Used Car Buyers Guide >> Link To Us >> Ratecard >> Privacy Policy >> Terms and Conditions Twitter // Follow Us Cookies on Motortrades Insight

Like many popular websites, Motortrades Insight uses some third party widgets that may set and may have already set cookies, for example the Twitter feed on our homepage. For more information see our cookie policy. By clicking close and continue you agree to our use of cookies.