David Bailey

Oct 28, 2024 | cardealermagazine.co.uk | David Bailey

The much-anticipated recent Tesla Cybercab reveal a fortnight ago was expected to be a significant moment for the industry, even potentially revolutionising the concept of urban mobility. However, instead of being met with widespread acclaim, the Cybercab reveal left many underwhelmed and disappointed. Indeed, Tesla’s share price immediately dropped. Ride-hailing rivals like Uber and Lyft meanwhile gained.

Oct 15, 2024 | cardealermagazine.co.uk | David Bailey

It was meant to be the next big thing. Prompted by Tesla selling direct to customers, other car makers quickly jumped on the agency bandwagon. Firms had been hoping to take more direct control over the sales process, bypassing traditional dealerships in favour of a more streamlined approach but despite much hype, the agency model has failed to yield the results many carmakers hoped for, in part because of a misunderstanding of the role of the traditional dealer.

Oct 5, 2024 | cardealermagazine.co.uk | David Bailey

In the fiercely competitive automotive industry, supply chain disruptions can have widespread and long standing effects. Think of the shortage of parts after the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and more recently the shortage of semi-conductors during and after Covid. Both curtailed auto production in the west for long periods. On a more local scale, Ineos last week said that it has been caught out by a supplier unable to produce a key component.

Jul 23, 2024 | theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |David Bailey

The last few years have been troubling for the British steel industry. High energy costs, a wave of cheap Chinese imports, plant closures, the COVID pandemic and financial struggles have all taken their toll. Steel is a high energy user and significant carbon emitter. Coal-fired blast furnaces exceed temperatures of 2,000°C and the industry is responsible for around 2% of UK greenhouse gas emissions. The sector faces the challenges of transitioning to greener and more cost-efficient production.

Jun 24, 2024 | theconversation.com | Phil Tomlinson |David Bailey

In launching Labour’s manifesto, Keir Starmer sought to shed his party’s “tax and spend” image. Instead, Starmer pressed home that Labour’s core mission is to increase UK economic growth – the manifesto mentions the term more than 200 times. Some readers may recall Labour’s 1964 manifesto, whose theme tune was Let’s Go with Labour. Back then, growth was supposed to arrive via the “white heat of technology”. All governments want economic growth.