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Welsh 'screwdriver' plant looks doubtful
Page 6
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JAPANESE commercial vehicles could be built in South Wales within 18 months, if the Government gives an early go-ahead to Mitsubishi's plans for its European factory.
The company is awaiting Department of Industry clearance for its proposed plant at Wentloog, near Cardiff, where up to 700 could be employed within five years.
A company spokesman told CM this week that the range of vehicles would include a 5.5ton 4x2 vehicle and a 16-tongvw lorry, and he added that all would employ in excess of 50 per cent British components.
He sees considerable export potential for the Mitsubishi range which will be built elsewhere in Western Europe if Britain turns down the Wentloog plans.
But the Government is faced with the dilemma of whether it should agree to Mitsubishi's plans and allow new industry into a depressed area, or if it should stop Japanese firms from gaining a foothold in the commercial vehicle market.
The Development Corporation of Wales and the Welsh Trade Union Congress is supporting the plans which will bring new employment to an area which is suffering from the closure of British Steel's East Moors works in Cardiff.
Main opposition is coming from Nelson and Colne Labour MP Doug Hoyle who has described the Wentloog plan as "no more than an assembly 'screwdriver operation' which will allow the Japanese to destroy the British commercial vehicle industry."
Mitsubishi is pinning its hopes on the fact that the vehicles will employ a large percentage of British parts, but it says it cannot wait indefinitely for an answer from Government.
Managing director of Mitsubishi Truck and Bus, Michael Orr, said: "We cannot go on spending shareholders' money to no effect — it is costing us about £65,000 a year on the truck division — and if there is no clear indication by the end of November, then the project will be shelved."