The content of the article:
- Time-tested
- Price and quality
- Who is better
For an ordinary person, buying a car is a kind of milestone in his life, a kind of indicator of status. In the same way, for a country, its own car production is an important point that allows it to establish its position in the ranking of countries with a developed industry.
In this regard, Great Britain occupies a stable position as a power producing quality cars. What is the secret of their success in the modern world car market? Let's try to figure it out.
Time-tested
In the photo: Wolseley 5HP release 1904
The history of the English automotive industry dates back to the late 19th century. It cannot be said that the British automotive industry developed very actively. Compared to Germany and France, the British initially lagged behind, preferring not to produce their own equipment, but to buy components and spare parts from Germany.
The first English car Daimler was essentially a copy of the French model Panhard et Levassor.
One might think that such a beginning of the history of English cars does not honor the British, but this is not so. You need to understand the very essence of the English character and approach to everything new. Conservatism is the calling card of this country. Perhaps that is why the development of engineering thought in the field of the automotive industry here proceeded so slowly, with an eye on the pioneers from Germany and France.
British engineers began to receive an award for their conservatism only over the years, when British cars became synonymous with quality and reliability.
Today, luxury car brands in the UK are a symbol of the owners' belonging to the highest strata of society. Having a real English car means being at a fairly high level of well-being and prosperity. An English car means prestige and luxury, quality and reliability.
Of course, the history of the development of the English automotive industry has its own bad moments, mistakes caused by haste or mistakes of designers. But against the background of the general progressive steady development of this industry, such blunders are quite strongly leveled by the general "bar height" of product quality.
An interesting and expressive fact is that most of the well-known and now popular brands of English cars were produced already in the first half of the twentieth century. This clearly emphasizes the distinctive feature of British cars - they are in no hurry to change dramatically, but at the same time they conquer the hearts of motorists steadily and for a long time.
Price and quality
In the photo: Frederick Royce
At one time, the English automobile design engineer, one of the founders of the famous Rolls-Royce company, Frederic Royce, said: "The price will be forgotten, but the quality will remain."
Nowadays, few people can be confused by the high price they ask for an exclusive car. This is largely the basis of the British automotive industry - if you want to have a really great car, you will have to pay a lot for it. But on the other hand, the quality will be appropriate.
What are the secrets that allow the British to create truly high-quality cars?
1. The tradition of manual assembly
In the photo: assembly of engines for "Jaguars"
Believe it or not, elite British cars are still hand-assembled. This is not the notorious "screwdriver assembly on the knee", with which we, unfortunately, associate the concept of "manual assembly". Not at all.
Manual assembly in English is, first of all, the strictest quality control combined with the use of the most modern technologies. The assembled "in English" car will not cause problems to its owner only because some nut is "under-tightened" in it or certain parts of the power unit do not "sit" in strictly designated places.
Unlike some European and Asian manufacturers, British automakers do not even admit the thought that a car purchased from them may immediately require replacement of any spare parts or a complete revision at a service station - this is simply impossible!
2. Limited editions
In the photo: Limited edition based on the five-door Mini Cooper S - only 50 cars for Australia
One of the main mottos of the manufacturers of "Jaguars", "Lotuses", "Bentleys", "Rolls-Royces" is a phrase that, in Russian, could probably sound like "Better less, but better!"
All prestigious British car models are produced in limited editions. This approach also has a significant positive impact on the quality of technology.
It's no wonder that hand-assembled, limited-edition luxury cars cost their customers anywhere from € 200,000 - the exclusivity is worth it!
3. Power is sufficient!
In the photo: Rolls-Royce
One of the interesting approaches to the design and presentation of the result to the consumer from the British manufacturers is the positioning of their cars as obviously suitable for the motorist.
For example, traditionally the Rolls-Royce company does not advertise the power of its models... For a long time, a single word was printed in the passport of the car in the “Power” section: “Sufficient”.
And only from the moment the BMW engine was installed on the next model, the tradition was broken, and the consumer was able to read a very specific figure in this column.
4. On the cutting edge of engineering
In the photo: amphibian Gibbs Aquada
If the British automobile industry was distinguished only by its conservatism, no exclusive quality could attract modern technology lovers to its products.
Even the finest and highest quality horse-drawn carriage remains a carriage, and modern consumers need modern technology. And English engineers are at their best here - the latest developments of English engineers cover horizons from electric cars to amphibians.
Not so long ago, Gibbs Technologies engineers held a demonstration of their brainchild - the Aquada amphibious vehicle. The car easily demonstrated its abilities on the streets of the capital of Great Britain and in the waters of the Thames.
The car is characterized by the absolute impossibility of leaks, which is not surprising - this model simply does not have doors as such! After leaving the water on land, the equipment needs no more than five seconds to change the operating mode to "land".
On the ground, the engine allows you to reach speeds of 150 km / h, on the water - 55 km / h. In the basic configuration, the cost of the amphibian is 235 thousand dollars.
Also, UK government programs are focused on the transition to electric vehicles. According to the government, this "will make the UK a world leader in this technology, which is designed to clean cities of exhaust gases."
It is characteristic that all new developments are distinguished by a scrupulous approach to quality - no even the most promising horizons are considered, if at the moment the issues of safety and reliability of the car are not fully resolved.
5. International ratings of reliability
In recent years, British automotive engineers have taken great strides. Proof of this fact is the results of studies by ADAC and J.D. Power, a renowned company specializing in quality and reliability analysis of global car manufacturers.
It's no secret that by J.D. Power, the same Land Rover products have repeatedly occupied high positions in the anti-rating of cars, and even the famous Jaguar was not much superior to it.
It is significant that when faced with this problem, British manufacturers did not prove their case and challenge the research results, but silently, as they say, rolling up their sleeves, began to increase reliability.
And the result was not long in coming - you will not find British cars in today's ADAC anti-ratings. For comparison: in the same version of the list of the most unreliable cars according to the Consumer Reports group, for example, BMWs are present, but not a single Jaguar or Land Rover is there.
Who is better
And in conclusion, we will illustrate the "secrets" of the quality of English cars with specific models occupying the top positions of the rating:
1. Jaguar Luxury (premium and luxury categories)
As soon as this "Jaguar" went on sale, automotive experts began to give the model high marks. The car is distinguished by a luxurious interior, which is a must for an English prestigious car, high-quality finishing materials, and, of course, high reliability.
The diesel model of the Jaguar again illustrates Royce's famous phrase about price and quality. Moreover, economical fuel consumption pleases the owner.
2. Land Rover Freelander (SUV category)
Even the not too high reputation of the first generation of this brand did not prevent this car from winning the hearts of motorists. Comfort and quality here are traditional English, plus experts noted the increased quality of parts. The turbocharged diesel unit provides the vehicle with the power it needs and the ability to handle a variety of driving situations.
3. Mini Cooper S (hatchback category)
This car is actually an icon on wheels. It is noteworthy that with an expensive cost and high demand, Cooper is also distinguished by a high resale price - over 25 thousand dollars.
Conclusion
So, as it turns out, there are not so many quality secrets from English manufacturers. But the thing is that these "secrets" lie in a thorough approach to production and consistent adherence to the rule "Don't stay behind the price if you like the thing."
Without getting involved in a race for sales and dubious innovations, British designers and manufacturers successfully combine their national conservatism with a high level of attention to the quality of parts and the entire car as a whole. This, perhaps, is their main "secret".
