Britain’s manufacturing industry has been thrown back into the spotlight as a result of the up and coming election . Prior to the widely publicised credit crunch, industry as a whole has taken a back seat in the United Kingdom, leading to the closure or out-sourcing of many household names, brands and companies.

The motor industry has not been spared from this decline, with numerous car manufacturers and businesses feeling the pinch for a number of decades now. A local business from the Black Country, Alan Vurlan recalls life in the Midlands during the manufacturing boom by describing the streets as a ‘stampede’ of employees leaving the factory at the end of each shift. This scene remains a far cry from what is seen today. A combination of potential employees being lured away from vehicle production to university degrees, and the impact of international competition has had a negative effect on what was once one of Britain’s greatest industries.

The car and finance sector have been drastically hit by this continual decline, with famous brands such as MG Rover falling victim to the economic downturn. All is not lost however, with Alistair Darling commenting that there was a desperate need for Britain to realise its potential on a global scale.

With British-based industry a major election agenda, the future of the motor industry and car finance in general may have some interesting – if not turbulent days ahead.