The Coventry Motor Industry: Birth to Renaissance?

Coventry is synonymous with both the creation and relative decline of the British motor car industry. This volume explores the relationship between the car industry in its local context, and the wider economic, social and political environment. It analyzes the emergence and early dominance of Coventry's motor manufacturers, the rise of volume production in the 1930s, and the instabilities and renaissance of the post-war era. Specific chapters deal with the industry's response to the demands created by the two world wars. A number of themes run throughout the book, including the structure of the industry and the relationship between its various sectors, resource provision, management and labour relations, and the nature and response to market demand. It offers insights into the history of some of the most evocative marques in the industry, including Daimler, Jaguar, Alvis, Siddeley, Standard and Rover.