The broad sunlit uplands of next March. Yeah, really. . - Page 34

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Feb 2019, 13:37 (Ref:3885239)

Yes, there is an estimate suggesting another 6000 jobs could be affected in subsidiary companies. But if we were to get a good no tariff deal for cars with the USA then I can see China establishing manufacturing bases here.

Mike Bell · 19 Feb 2019, 13:45 (Ref:3885242)

Well, we already have Chinese owned car companies in Europe, so halfway there. Perhaps El Presidente will do us an accidental favour!

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Feb 2019, 13:55 (Ref:3885246)

My thoughts exactly.

Mike Harte · 19 Feb 2019, 13:58 (Ref:3885247)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

Yes, there is an estimate suggesting another 6000 jobs could be affected in subsidiary companies. But if we were to get a good no tariff deal for cars with the USA then I can see China establishing manufacturing bases here.

Highly unlikely, certainly with Trump in the White House. Not satisfied with his 25% tariff on steel, in the next month or so his new tariff on imported cars, also at 25%, comes into effect having been signed off last year.

He wants Americans to only buy Yank tanks!

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Feb 2019, 14:03 (Ref:3885248)

Yes That is correct. We shall see.

MGDavid · 19 Feb 2019, 15:44 (Ref:3885276)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantp

..........
Now an enterprising Government would go looking for a vehicle manufacturer of some sort who wanted a factory and an available local work force capable of producing around 100k vehicles p.a.

Perhaps in the EV market space since all sort of inducement could be passed off as reasonable for the purpose of saving the planet.

They have 3 years to get something arranged, so it should be eas....
Hmm. Not a chance of that happening is there?

A bit too big to begin with perhaps but Dyson would be the obvious target as it's geographically in his backyard.

grantp · 19 Feb 2019, 17:14 (Ref:3885310)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

Highly unlikely, certainly with Trump in the White House. Not satisfied with his 25% tariff on steel, in the next month or so his new tariff on imported cars, also at 25%, comes into effect having been signed off last year.

He wants Americans to only buy Yank tanks!

I thought most of the "foreign" cars, at least the main market ones, were already built in the USA.

BMW, Merc and VW along with Toyota, Mazda and Honda have been there for years.

JLR will be a but stuffed but then it seems the American market thinks their reliability is questionable anyway.

grantp · 19 Feb 2019, 17:16 (Ref:3885311)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

A bit too big to begin with perhaps but Dyson would be the obvious target as it's geographically in his backyard.

When did Swindon move to Singapore?

Mike Bell · 19 Feb 2019, 17:18 (Ref:3885313)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

A bit too big to begin with perhaps but Dyson would be the obvious target as it's geographically in his backyard.

Dyson would be, but has set up (or is setting up) production in Singapore, which is why the HQ moved there. Having said that, I think they still have the research place here.

Oh, and my spellcheck changed ‘Dyson’ to ‘dysentery’.........

grantp · 19 Feb 2019, 17:23 (Ref:3885314)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Dyson would be, but has set up (or is setting up) production in Singapore, which is why the HQ moved there. Having said that, I think they still have the research place here.

Oh, and my spellcheck changed ‘Dyson’ to ‘dysentery’.........

How would you write advertising copy for a Dyson car and build on the historic brand name product association image?

"Our cars really suck"?

midgetman · 19 Feb 2019, 18:13 (Ref:3885325)

Grant, you've won the Internet today.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

midgetman · 19 Feb 2019, 18:15 (Ref:3885329)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MGDavid

A bit too big to begin with perhaps but Dyson would be the obvious target as it's geographically in his backyard.

He already owns Hullavington Airfield for R&D.

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VIVA GT · 19 Feb 2019, 18:24 (Ref:3885335)

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetman

He already owns Hullavington Airfield for R&D.

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

For me that has a strong motor-sport connection. Back in the day I always turned right at Hullavington Airfield when going to Castle Combe!

Mike Harte · 19 Feb 2019, 18:30 (Ref:3885341)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantp

I thought most of the "foreign" cars, at least the main market ones, were already built in the USA.

BMW, Merc and VW along with Toyota, Mazda and Honda have been there for years.

JLR will be a but stuffed but then it seems the American market thinks their reliability is questionable anyway.

It is a bit of an anomaly, but certainly in the case of BMW, a goodly percentage of their cars that are assembled in the States are actually exported, whilst at the same time the cars that the Americans want to buy are imported from Europe, like for example the Mini from Cowley.

But my point was originally in response to Peter M's thoughts about a good trade deal with the UK after Brexit.

Gerard C · 19 Feb 2019, 19:47 (Ref:3885388)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Harte

He wants Americans to only buy Yank tanks!

Only my opinion but I think he's not so wrong in this matter. Do you remember when major car makers employees couldn't park close to the entry if driving a foreign car, a japanese one for instance. All of fame in the mall, hall of shame on the parking lot!

**Peter Mallett** · 19 Feb 2019, 19:48 (Ref:3885389)

Mike. I'm not really that naive.

grantp · 19 Feb 2019, 23:54 (Ref:3885446)

Ford to shut manufacturing operation in Brazil.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47300317

Brexit effect presumably?

E.B · 20 Feb 2019, 04:48 (Ref:3885461)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantp

Ford to shut manufacturing operation in Brazil.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-47300317

Brexit effect presumably?

A bit like in Aus when Ford and Holden announced closure of manufacturing.... round about the time Australia first competed in the Eurovision Song Contest!

Mike Bell · 20 Feb 2019, 05:46 (Ref:3885467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by grantp

Ford to shut manufacturing operation in Brazil.

Brexit effect presumably?

Come on, Ford are having to cut costs all over the world, due to their internal problems! Hardly comparable with Honda and Nissan.....

**Peter Mallett** · 20 Feb 2019, 06:00 (Ref:3885468)

.......who are cutting costs due to internal problems. 😂

Mike Bell · 20 Feb 2019, 06:38 (Ref:3885474)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

.......who are cutting costs due to internal problems. 😂

But I’d think Ford’s internal problems on a completely different level to the Japanese manufacturers. If the blue Oval just stuck to F series pickups and Fiestas they’d probably make decent money!

Their next generation of European vans and pickups are a joint venture with VW, with Amarok and Ranger, Transit and Transporter, Connect and Combi all sharing. When you consider what a big seller the Transit is, sharing the base van with the VW is a big move. Rumour is that traditional Transporter ‘lifestyle’ van fans are not happy about the venture!

Gerard C · 20 Feb 2019, 06:43 (Ref:3885475)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Bell

Rumour is that traditional Transporter ‘lifestyle’ van fans are not happy about the venture!

Not happy? You mean they still want a "spliff window"?

Mike Bell · 20 Feb 2019, 06:48 (Ref:3885477)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerard C

Not happy? You mean they still want a "spliff window"?

Absolutely! And air cooled rear engine....

**Peter Mallett** · 20 Feb 2019, 07:41 (Ref:3885481)

I believe I'm correct in saying that Ford patented the heated windscreen and only VW were permitted to use it (for a royalty) other than Ford.

Mike Bell · 20 Feb 2019, 07:48 (Ref:3885484)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Mallett

I believe I'm correct in saying that Ford patented the heated windscreen and only VW were permitted to use it (for a royalty) other than Ford.

OT, but I always found it bizarre that my elderly neighbour's Ford Fiesta had a heated windscreen and yet Range Rovers at that time didn't! Mind you, there was a timer to stop use of the screen element flattening the battery...

Bit of research says that first used on a Euro Ford (Granada) in 1985, and Ford allowed the patent to run out. Hence adopted widely after that... (But Rolls Royce had the feature in 1969!)

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