The Automotive industry

The decision by BMW to lay off 850 agency staff this week is the latest in a long line of losses in the car industry.

Japanese car giant Nissan announced 2000 job cuts worldwide and Honda has shut down for four months.

The knock-on effect for the Welsh automotive sector which supplied parts to many car giants has been severe with manufacturing jobs slashed by 20 per cent.

Until recently the Wales automotive industry employed 25,000 people and generated an estimated £3bn each year.

The UK Government has already announced a £2 billion support package for the industry - but some say we should be following the French who ploughed over six billion Euros into its main car producers to keep them afloat.

The Welsh Assembly Government has prioritised the automotive industry for their Proact scheme, which offers training and support for workers on short time.

But is it enough? How can the Welsh car parts industry cope in the downturn? And how can we get people buying cars again?

This week Wales@Work asks which road the Welsh automotive sector should take next.