VIDEO: Driverless vehicle technology heralds 25,000 new jobs for West Midlands
NEW research has suggested the development of driverless vehicle technology will be capable of generating 320,000 jobs in the UK, with the West Midlands one of the main areas to benefit.
The research, commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and completed by KPMG, follows the announcement by Chancellor George Osborne in the Budget that the driverless technology sector is to receive a £200m shot-in-the-arm (£100m from the Government with the remaining 50% match-funded from industry) to support the development of the new vehicles.
In the first ever comprehensive analysis of the UK opportunities provided by this new technology, KPMG has found that the new vehicles will deliver a £51bn boost to the UK economy and reduce serious road traffic accidents by more than 25,000 a year by 2030. Crucially, it also forecasts the UK will be a global leader in the production of this next generation of vehicles – see video below.
The figures were announced at SMMTConnected, the first ever industry-wide event in Britain to explore the opportunities offered to the automotive sector by this new technology.
Industry figures from manufacturers including BMW, Bosch, Ford, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Volvo all attended the event.
John Leech, Birmingham-based Head of Automotive at KPMG, said: “Our study has established that the UK is well-positioned to capitalise on the development and production of connected and autonomous cars. Not only will these developments help vehicle manufacturers and their suppliers, but will bolster jobs, trade and productivity across the economy.
“Connected and autonomous vehicles will promote social inclusion, reduce pollution and save lives. This represents an important opportunity for the economy but one that requires continued focus and commitment from Government and Business.”
He said the research also suggested major opportunities ahead for the automotive community in the West Midlands.
“We forecast that over 320,000 jobs will be created in the UK by 2030 of which 25,000 will be within the automotive manufacturing sector, mainly within the Midlands,” he said.
“The region must grasp this opportunity, particularly their share of the £200m fund announced by the Chancellor during the Budget.”
On display at the event were some of the latest connected innovations from BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan.
The Jaguar F-Type displayed was a model equipped with InControl Apps, which allows drivers to use a variety of iOS and Android apps through the car’s touch screen. JLR has worked closely with app developers to optimise a range of popular apps, such as Audiobooks, Parkopedia and Stitcher, for in car use. In Control Apps is available with a number of JLR products, including the all-new Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport.
Some cars already on the market feature technologies that link the car with the driver’s phone, enabling remote door locking, controlled heating and air conditioning functions. On the move, meanwhile, self-parking systems and anti-crash sensors are already making journeys safer and easier.
Other issues covered at the event included new road infrastructure, liability, data and privacy, and cyber security.
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Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Connected and autonomous cars will transform our roads and the way our society functions for generations to come, dramatically reducing accidents and helping to deliver more than £50bn to our economy.
“The KPMG report clearly shows the UK automotive industry is leading the way in developing the cars of the future and that it will act as a catalyst for wider economic benefits that will create more than 300,000 jobs by 2030. The UK must grasp the opportunities ahead and ensure it is continually at the forefront of pushing through these next breakthrough technologies.”
