Overseas investors shown Midlands hi-tech auto projects

THE West Midlands’ growing reputation for excellence in advanced automotive engineering and low carbon vehicle technologies has been showcased to a massive global market.

Advantage West Midlands arranged for a top level delegation of investment professionals to see some of the cutting edge operations being carried out in the sector during a visit to the region.

Delegates visiting were from: India, China, Australia, Japan, Germany, Mexico, South Korea, Singapore, Romania, Russia, Turkey, Brazil, the USA and Thailand.

Facilities visited during the tour included the Digital Lab at Warwick Manufacturing Group at the University of Warwick and MIRA in Nuneaton.

During the visit to WMG, the delegates were invited to take part in networking sessions and sit in on presentations from experts leading a number of pioneering low carbon vehicle and advanced automotive engineering projects, all of which have been supported by AWM.

These included WMG’s own Low Carbon Vehicle Technology Programme plus Coventry University’s Automotive Engineering Applied Research Programme; University of Birmingham’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Research; and Birmingham City University’s Heavy Diesel Automotive Test Centre.

At MIRA delegates were shown the innovITS-ADVANCE technical centre, the world’s first purpose built intelligent transport systems and telematics test facility, which allows systems to be designed and trialled in real time, off the public highway.

George Gillespie, MIRA’s chief executive, said: “The eyes of the world are looking toward technology providers like MIRA to provide the solutions necessary for a low carbon future. The UKTI visit recognises the engineering talent we have in this region and our ability to secure a strong, viable, low-carbon vehicle economy that we can successfully export around the world.”
 
Richard Butler, AWM’s head of international investment, said: “This region has a substantial, highly sophisticated, and advanced automotive industry and supply chain. The world leading automotive innovation, research and technological expertise located here is being harnessed to establish a market lead in the global development and production of low carbon vehicles.

“It speaks volumes about the West Midland’s strengths that we have attracted such a strong UKT&I delegation and we are delighted to see them.”