Just consider the British car industry. A disaster.

Meanwhile, across the channel, was a company whose full name was Régie Nationale Des Usines Renault. Renault had been nationalized shortly after WWII. In the late 70s, while British Leyland rotted, Renault was the largest car maker in Europe. The Renault 5 was outselling the VW Golf.

Here's an example of "management" at British Leyland. In 68, Austin introduced a specific trim of the ADO16, known as the "America". Road & Track tested one, and noted that every nut and bolt on the car was loose. As their mechanics went from one end of the car to the other, tightening all the fasteners, they kept thinking how they never had to do that on a VW.

I tucked that tidbit in the back of my mind.

Years later, I found a video on YouTube, about product quality, produced by British Leyland, in the 70s. The film admitted that the machine tools were worn out. The film admitted their factories were obsolete. But the film still put the burden for producing a quality product on the line worker.

Here is where the film and the Road & Track article come together. In the film, I see line workers tightening fasteners with speed braces. In the mid 70s? The US big three had been using pneumatic power drivers at least since the early 60s. A power driver is not only faster than a speed brace, but, if set correctly, it automatically tightens the fasteners to the correct torque. If you use a speed brace, you guarantee inconsistent results. But the film shows BL management would not invest in power drivers, that would increase productivity and improve build quality. Management preferred to scapegoat the Proles on the line, rather than give them the tools they needed to do a proper job.

This is the BL film. The speed brace action is at the 17-minute mark.

The Quality Connection - A British Leyland Training Film - 1977

YouTube: The Quality Connection - A British Leyland Training Film - 1977 - Ful HD (Classic Vehicle Channel)

Building Mustangs at the Rouge, 1965. All power drivers.

Inside the 1965 Ford Mustang Factory – How America Built the Pony Car Legend

YouTube: Inside the 1965 Ford Mustang Factory – How America Built the Pony Car Legend (SilentForge Industries)

Steve