Background

The Welsh Automotive Forum (WAF) set up the Welsh Automotive Task Force in response to the situation at Rover during the summer of 2000 and negative comments regarding UK automotive supplier costs by Nissan and Honda.

One of the Task Force recommendations was that a co-ordinated approach to business support was required from all Government sponsored support bodies, but with focus on the industry’s needs and activity driven by industry itself.

Accordingly, a consultation exercise was undertaken by WAF to identify from the industry what it perceived were the needs and appropriate form of support. The result of the exercise was a proposal by the WAF to the WAG for an initiative called 'Accelerate Wales'.

The proposal was approved and subsequently received a commitment to 'Pathway to Prosperity' funds aimed at helping the Welsh Automotive Sector to improve its performance. In approving the initiative, it was recognised that to survive and thrive within an increasingly competitive global market place, Welsh automotive component suppliers need this form of support.