It used to be said that the VW Beetle is the first car in the UK that could be driven all the way from London to Edinburgh without breaking down.

I worked for British Leyland from 1966 until the 80s. What a chaotic affair. The engines were ancient, the body designs were cobbled together using existing panels they though would fit to save money. We had almost monthly management changes. The machinery where I worked had war department on them and most were worn out from the war years. The workforce were largely disaffected and most of us knew we were on a sinking ship. Ghastly time.

In the 1980's I used to deliver silencers to Land Rover in the Midlands and it was hard work I used to tell drivers to take a book with them, Delivering to the night shift was nt too bad untill midnight, after that it didnt happen quickly

wow the robots are way ahead of the cars they are making

I had many breakdowns on a rover in the 1970's Swore I would never buy another British car. I haven't and I have been happy ever since that decision!!!!

I served an apprenticeship and worked at AEC (ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT COMPANY) of Southall Middlesex between 1969 and 1976.  Another one of the problems with BL was that they should have had the cars and commercial vehicles as two separate entities. AEC’s order books were full and they had a loyal customer base, yet “stokes” closed down a highly respected and viable custom manufacturer of Lorries and Buses. Yet it seems to be the same throughout British industry to take over the opposition and then close them down.  Better to remain a family business free of the stock exchange😇

Alternative names for "British Car Industry" - "San Marino Football Team", "Saddam Hussein Hiding Techniques", "Tasty Low Fat Food", "Ben Affleck in Pearl Harbour"

It's often said the BMW taught austin/rover how to make a car. It was infact honda, primarily with the acclaim. In the earlier 80's Leyland service departments were shocked by the reduction in warranty claims for the acclaim. Not to mention not seeing the vehicle from one year to the next for annual servicing.

14:22 the cavalier estate used panels stamped in Australia also, in exchange Vauxhall sent back chevette wagon and van panels for use in the Holden Gemini

lol, German made bots...
in the same time,German car factories been filled to the rim with bots, in the 1970s..

At 5m30s I'm sure that's the theme from Carry On Camping!

Why do they always proudly emphasize that half of the market is theirs. Half is never enough. I don't want half a glass of wine.

Extra £40 for a German model Sierra!

Ironic that Halewood is one of Fords last factories left in the UK, opposite of the predictions in the 1980s

“In the 1960’s the government only allowed them to build factories in areas of high unemployment” what is that about? Surely they can do what they want?

Wilmot Breeden Ltd in Fordhouse Lane,also made the bumpers for the  Austin Taxi FX4 london black cab...

Ah well, they you go, a learning for any future manufacture. Product Portfolio, Product Brand, Price, Customer and never cost reduce on quality.

At 18:23.... ROVER XX.  lol.  It was the sterling 825.   The Sterling 825 was a British-built luxury car sold in North America from 1987–1991. It was a Honda-based Rover 800 rebadged for the US market by Austin Rover Cars of North America, a Rover Group division. A acrua legend with British flair.

A lack of investment in R&D and technology killed British car industry, Labour should have insisted on cuts to jobs and invested more in higher paid technical jobs.

Shocking stuff!! I served my time as a mechsnic , not just a 'fitter'  in a Triumph/Rover/Jaguar franchise , had lot of pride in the trade .