Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
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New Council to Drive Forward Future Strategy of UK Car Industry

New Council to Drive Forward Future Strategy of UK Car Industry

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 12 November 2009

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson announced today that the Government is setting up a new Automotive Council to address the long term strategic challenges facing the UK car industry.

Through areas such as innovation and high-skilled job creation, the automotive sector will be driving the UK’s economic growth. With the industry at a technological turning point in radically reducing carbon emissions, investment now will be critical to its success.

To ensure that the UK’s car industry can build on its strengths and develop the new capabilities needed to compete in a competitive global market, the Council will have an important strategic role in helping to achieve these goals.

The move is part of the Government’s positive response to the wide ranging recommendations made in a report from the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT) published earlier this year, setting out its 20-year vision for the automotive industry.

The Council will be chaired jointly by Lord Mandelson and by ex-Ford boss Richard Parry-Jones. The Automotive Council will be tasked with taking forward the agreed actions from the NAIGT report including the importance of the technology road maps and developing a stronger supply chain.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said:

“The Automotive Council will be an opportunity for Government and industry to work together on the long term strategic development of the sector. The car industry needs to capitalise on the economic opportunities and job creation offered by the shift to low carbon.

“I am delighted that Richard Parry-Jones will be continuing the good work he started with NAIGT as chairman of the Automotive Council.”

Automotive Council Chairman Richard Parry-Jones said:

"I'm delighted to co-Chair the Automotive Council and take forward the long term strategic agenda laid out in the NAIGT report. The UK must raise its game to compete for international investment in automotive R&D and manufacturing.

“To do that, the UK’s car manufacturers need an ever more strategic, collaborative relationship with the Government and to be working with the supply chain and other stakeholders to achieve long term goals. I want the Council to make that happen".

The first meeting is expected to be held in December.

Notes to Editors

1. The NAIGT report and the Government’s response can be found at www.bis.gov.uk.

2. The NAIGT’s other main recommendation was to establish a technology roadmap to include the trialling of low carbon vehicles. The Government announced a project in July that will see over 340 low carbon vehicles being tried out on the UK’s roads.

A common research agenda will help direct government funding to those areas most critical to the deployment of low and ultra low carbon vehicles. The ownership of this agenda will lie with the Technology Strategy Board and the Automotive Council, working with the Office for Low Emission Vehicles.

3. A list of Council members will be published in due course.

Department for Business, Innovation & Skills

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is building a dynamic and competitive UK economy by: creating the conditions for business success; promoting innovation, enterprise and science; and giving everyone the skills and opportunities to succeed. To achieve this it will foster world-class universities and promote an open global economy. BIS - Investing in our future.

Contacts:

BIS Press Office
NDS.BIS@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Rebecca Murrell
Phone: 020 7215 6403
Rebecca.Murrell@bis.gsi.gov.uk

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