Daddy, what’s that car? Well it isn’t British; that’s for sure…

The public is in an uproar over yet another car manufacturer having met its demise at the hands of the recession, politicians throughout the country try to point fingers, hoping the blame will fall on someone else. Heads are bound to roll once it is revealed who caused the downfall for yet another British car maker, but this isn’t British Leyland on the ropes, coughing up blood and Margaret Thatcher isn’t in power. This is the present day; nearly all-British carmakers are now under foreign control, with many becoming market leaders within their sector and enjoying greater prosperity under their new owners.

The carmaker that is about to meet its maker is Bristol. The eccentric’s choice, a car bought by the likes of Sir Richard Branson, Tina Turner and Bono. Unfortunately the company has now gone into administration, with 20 of its employees now made redundant at the Bristol factory and 2 of the 7 at its London showroom also facing a lay off. Chairman of Bristol Cars Toby Silverton said 'It has not been possible for the company to continue to trade in its present structure and while the decision has been taken regretfully, I am confident that a future for the business will be found.'

During its 65 year life, Bristol catered to the rich and famous, its cars commanding prices of upwards £150,000, though wonderfully built and known for peerless quality, the company within its final days were believed to be only selling 100 cars per year.

Though in the past, 100 cars per year would be considered profitable, ever-stricter emissions regulation and the European Union forever creating new legislation for carmakers to abide by, the cost to build, innovate and create, would be the final nail in the coffin of Bristol. Bristol also had to face stiff competition from established car makers, who had the financial clout to keep up with the ever changing zeitgeist, as well as offering vehicles which were both superior in quality and had a brand worth its weight in gold. Such odds for any car maker would be taxing at best, but for a niche carmaker, it would rapidly speed up the process of its death, coupled with a recession which left many car makers on their knees, Bristol was a dead duck.

Does it mean other British carmakers are at risk? Not if the parent companies of the last few remaining ‘British’ brands have anything to say about it. Many brands have gone from strength to strength; Mini for example has become the 911 of the small car sector, with many manufacturers trying to emulate its success. While others have used their parent companies vast resources to become market leaders, since all the components that would be needed; can be found in house, their costs are reduced dramatically. Bentley being the best example, its engines, suspension and components that make up the car, can be found in other Volkswagen products. However not all British car makers have a major carmaker financially backing them, carmakers for example Aston Martin and Morgan, are privately owned but have been able to be successful through creating brand awareness and building wonderful cars.

So is Bristol yet another casualty of the recession or is it down to mismanagement, belief that things will get better eventually, in a world that is forever changing, I believe that Bristol was a dinosaur that hadn’t realised that it was extinct.