British Automotive Industry: Is this the end?
The last few months have been tumultuous for Britain with increased coronavirus cases and the implications on Brexit taking a toll on a number of people (Sorry Brexit supporters). Much to our dismay, so has been the automotive industry, a bleak and fragile situation is prevailing all over. For quite sometime British automakers have been juggled around by their parent organisations but there could be light at the end of the tunnel if the right decisions are made. Let see whats in store.
Over the last month the twin brands of Coventry started Jaguar's departure to the EV side of things while the Land Rover would continue producing IC engine vehicles. Initially it caused joy in the hearts of the Jag fans but soon enough brakes were applied on XJ electric project. Things don't seem too well on the Land Rover side of things either, with no clear path into the EV side, Land Rover's USA market could crumble to the likes of Rivian, Ford, GM and the EV Ace across the pond(Tesla).
Out at Gaydon too there does not exist a rosy picture as Aston Martin's Sunday projects team hasn't found a way into the electric markets. While Norwich based Lotus seem to have found a key to success the Evija isn't coming out soon enough either. McLaren on the other hand is living on a day-to-day basis by badge engineering its own cars over and over again.
Bentley under the German cloak has been quite reluctant about the EV game which leaves the one and only brand, Rolls Royce to move to EV market.
Rolls Royce under the empowerment of the Bavarian automotive giant has definitely been receiving its share of the EV cake from BMW. Its not everyday that one sees Rolls Royce patent a name for its line up and such was the incident that took place earlier this week when Rolls Royce patented the 'Silent Shadow' name. With BMW testing in the final stages of the i7 testing and Rolls Royce's timely patent has surely ticked several checkboxes for the Goodwood brands entry in to then EV arena. Who know if the Silver Shadow is an Entry level luxury EV or just another Rolls Royce, but what we all know is that Rolls Royce is entering the EV arena soon.
With Rolls Royce being the only brand having a clear path into the EV market, much of the British Automotive industry seems to be in a fix of its own, further aggravated by Covid and Brexit. Only time can say if the once largest automotive manufacturing country will ever be on the map of global automakers.
