Mandelson announces new car council

The government said the move was part of its positive response to the wide ranging recommendations made in a report from the New Automotive Innovation and Growth Team (NAIGT) published earlier this year, setting out its 20-year vision for the automotive industry. The new Council will be chaired jointly by Lord Mandelson and by ex-Ford boss Richard Parry-Jones and will be charged with taking forward the agreed actions from the NAIGT report including the importance of the technology road maps and developing a stronger supply chain. Lord Mandelson said: "The Automotive Council will be an opportunity for Government and industry to work together on the long term strategic development of the sector. The car industry needs to capitalise on the economic opportunities and job creation offered by the shift to low carbon. Parry-Jones said the UK needed to raise its game to compete for international investment in automotive R&D and manufacturing. "To do that, the UK's car manufacturers need an ever more strategic, collaborative relationship with the Government and to be working with the supply chain and other stakeholders to achieve long term goals. I want the Council to make that happen". The Council's first meeting is expected to be held in December.