But are they British?

Press, 17 February 1983, Page 27

But are they British?

Almost six out of every 10 new car sales in Britain are to company and fleet buyers and sorely-pressed, Statebacked BL Ltd is now beseeching British business to buy its cars. Jeffrey Johnson, Austin Rover’s fleet sales director, has warned company fleet managers in a confidential letter, which has turned out to be anything but secret, than many of the cars they are buying, and which they think are British-built, are in fact imported from the Continent.

He has told them that Vauxhall Viceroys and Royales, as well as Ford Capris and Granadas, are imported from Germany, while all Talbot Sambas, Tagoras and Ranchos are built in France.

Letting loose with a few home truths, Johnson has also pointed out that 71 per cent of Talbot Horizons, 35 per cent of Vauxhall Astras and 54 per cent of Ford Cortinas were imported from Belgium and Ireland in the first half of last year. At the same time, 48 -per cent of Vauxhall Cavaliers came from Belgium and an equal percentage of Ford Fiestas were imported from Spain and Germany. British car-makers, it seems, like New Zealand primary producers, are finding that, as far as they are concerned, the E.E.C. has its pitfalls.