Spoilt for choice

Contrary to popular belief, the car industry in the UK is flourishing and from an employment point of view is going from strength to strength.

This is due to over 40 vehicle manufacturers, ranging from global volume companies to small, specialist vehicle builders, which are now using this country as a production base — showing that the UK is not only diverse but also world class.

Over the past 30 years, the UK has developed an international automotive sector. Following the problems in the industry in the mid-seventies, the arrival of Japanese manufacturers gave provided a much-needed boost as

Sunderland plant was quickly followed by

new base in Derbyshire and Honda's Swindon factory. Now, the UK has modern plants, good industrial relations and a workforce that can make cars cheaply, efficiently and well.

Despite the collapse of MG Rover and the later closure of Peugeot's Ryton plant, the sector has bounced back, producing a turnover of £48.8bn in 2007 and employing 820,000 workers.