Government announces membership of Automotive Council in response to NAIGT proposals
Fri 13 November 2009
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The Government has announced the establishment of an Automotive Council as part of its response to the New Automotive Innovation and Growth (NAIGT) team's recommendations published earlier this year. The Council will oversee the development of a co-ordinated strategic approach and set new long-term targets for development for the automotive industry. It will be co-chaired by Lord Mandelson and Richard Parry-Jones, formerly Chief Technical Officer of Ford Motor Company and chair of the cross-industry NAIGT.
The Automotive Council will consist of senior representatives from both government and industry. It will meet for the first time before the end of the year.
The Government's response (see associated link) to the NAIGT report has also been published.
In addition to setting up the Automotive Council, the Government also endorsed the creation of a Supply Chain Council which will focus on the development of tier one companies and identify gaps in the supply chain. Government also pledged its active support for Test Bed UK, a major demonstrator programme for ultra-low carbon vehicles. It will also establish a Technology Council.
Paul Everitt, the chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), said following the publication of the response from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS): “Government support for the NAIGT's key recommendations signals a fundamental shift in the relationship between industry and government. It is an explicit recognition of the strategic national importance of the UK motor industry and its role in generating jobs and prosperity for the long term.”
The members appointed to the Automotive Council are:
Richard Parry Jones (Chair)
David Smith (Deputy) - Jaguar Land Rover
Gordon Murray (Deputy) - Gordon Murray Design
Joe Greenwell - Ford
Bill Parfitt - GM
Kenneth Keir - Honda
Trevor Mann - Nissan
Hermann Kaess - Robert Bosch
Nigel Stein - GKN Auto
Jürgen Hedrich - BMW
Graham Smith - Toyota
Jon Carling - Aston Martin
Franz-Josef Paefgen - Bentley
Dave Keene - RDM Automotive/Niche Vehicles Group
Gwenne Henricks - Caterpillar Inc
Andrea Paver Leyland Trucks
Jerry Hardcastle - Nissan (Chair of Technology Council)
Barry Dodd - Addpower Technologies/ GSM Group
Paul Everitt - SMMT
John Miles - ARUP
Dave Osborne - UNITE
Brian Collins - Chief Scientist, BIS & DfT
The BIS announcement says that further members may be added to this list in due course.
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