Presented by Mary Goldring
If the often quoted cliche that 'what is good for General Motors is good for America' is half true, it could follow that a flourishing motor-car industry is necessary for the well-being of an industrial society - indeed, the volume of car sales in a country is taken as an official indicator of its prosperity. The troubles of British Leyland, Chrysler and a handful of small manufacturers, and the comparative success of imported cars in Britain can be seen as significant pointers to our economic health. But just how sick is our car industry? Do we really need to have one at all? And if we do, how should it be structured?