SABOTAGED AT EVERY POINT BUT ROVER COULD RETURN! - Here’s How..

In this video we cover one of the most debated topics regarding the british car industry and its decline but we cover its return and how it could be done by resurrecting Austin, Rover and Triumph.
Just a note; not all was bad with British leyland and the British car industry isn’t dead it is very much alive. Regarding MG Rover and the many other eras I covered as much as I could in the small recap but longer videos will be produced covering these eras.
Thanks to AROnline the most incredible source for British car information; www.aronline.co.uk/
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Videos used:
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[@tomdrives]

Just to make everyone aware, at no point did I indicate in the video, thumbnail or title that this was an announcement of Rover’s comeback.

[@wayland7150]

I'm delighted that you're bringing back the British Car industry. Where's the GoFundMe?

[@tomdrives]

@@wayland7150 never implied that.

[@trevorwakefiel870]

HONDA should of Always been given priority to buy a major stake in Rover Group as they'd always worked well together from the early 8os on many models Rover had in its range of cars ...

[@user-vi8br7ib3w]

To be fair yes you did imply that

[@Dino_Dad.]

Shame

[@julesviolin]

That SD1 concept is 200% better looking than any EV today. Beautiful ⚠️

[@tomdrives]

It is Jules, Larson Design did a great job.

[@kylereese4822]

@@tomdrives SD1 would need to be ether a ground up or borrow a platform from ? and in EV form only if it`s ice powered it`ll have slow sale numbers due to rapidly outdating technology.

[@stuarthowarth2972]

The ICE is NOT dying, synthetic fuel is here. We can keep our beautiful ICE vehicles

[@wayland7150]

@@kylereese4822 EVs are impractical as a replacement to ICE. If they want to have environmentally friendly emissions then go LPG.

[@carlarrowsmith]

​@@stuarthowarth2972I'm not sure why synthetic fuel makes any difference, it's like hydrogen which won't work either. Both too expensive and too energy intensive to make.

[@colingrant1444]

Swindon dormant Honda factory that has closed in the last few years, would be an ideal modern plant to use. Plus Swindon has the advantage of having a wealth of experienced automotive production workers, which are already trained by Honda to build quality reliable vehicles. I worked there in the final quality assurance department, and quality above all else was hammered as the prime philosophy of their workers..

[@robsmall6466]

That would be good to see. On a smaller scale no doubt is the aborted TVR facility at Ebbw Vale. No Circuit of Wales though

[@Arltratlo]

if Honda left, who would buy your all UK car... only fools would by a car made in the UK... so its a for the UK only car, because since 2016 we know they are fools!

[@ron2256]

My Honda Jazz was built there, I felt good I was buying a British car and it’s been brilliant, I bought it in 2010 and I’ve still got it, it’s hardly cost anything apart from normal running costs and if I give it a quick clean, it still looks new.

[@MiguchaDonovanRicarardoMigucha]

Cool info my dear fellow 🤗👍

[@MiguchaDonovanRicarardoMigucha]

​. You're right about that my dear 🤗👍

[@ronniehenderson8602]

Wow, that SD1 rendering is stunning!

[@MrTrooper31]

The SD1 Concept is Stunning testament to advanced design of the Original i would love to own one as my old long departed SD1 is sadly missed

[@Arltratlo]

but UK quality isnt up to the job... so its better gone before the fools screw it up even more!

[@goncalomoura8156]

That modern interpretation of the SD1 looks stunning!

[@reitsmaassociates]

Fabulous SD1 interpretation ❤ 10/10 ! Cheers from Brisbane

[@tomdrives]

Larson Design did a fantastic job on that one.

[@gerry5134]

Honestly when Rover was let go for a pound I was completely disgusted that the government didn't do anything about it. So sad !

[@bitsbobs8613]

They could’ve relaunched all the British car companies the money given to Ukraine

[@alanpartington2540]

And we could have prevented World War 2 by dropping nuclear bombs on Germany in 1933. What a dimwitted comment.@@bitsbobs8613

[@trevorwakefiel870]

I'm an ex Pat dual Australian British born overseas citizen and the British government where idiots letting Rover Group to German BMW , should of been a British based even half owner Honda group that Rover had a good run with Honda cars and still wanted to align work with Rover .. ROVER tech and modern technology designs imput & Honda quality big reliability.... Before the 05 close down Rover had been importing the 75 to Australian dealers and was in process of importing for sale the Rover 25 seridd that would of sold well.. Just remember how classy compared to Australian & Japanese cars then the British Rover 75 was and still is when see the odd one on Australian roads... In Melbourne & Sydney Brisbane you don't see rust in car bodies like in the UK due to lack of sea air bad salt and snow , so the bodies last well.

[@timgriggs8592]

The Government had been "doing something about" BL, AR, Rover etc since 1975. After BAe tore up the deal with Honda, there was nowhere to go but down.

[@truxton1000]

@@bitsbobs8613 Yes, and with the money they will continue to give they could probably refurbished all the hospitals in UK. And for what? Russia will not give up so in the end when the last idiot have understood that and the funding of Ukraine is over the war will be over and it will ALL be for absolutely nothing, except for thousands and thousands of dead soldiers and ruined buildings and infrastructure on either side.

[@johnkauppi7078]

Australia here. I have owned quite a few old British cars over the years. I still have my 51 Landrover and a '82 SD2? Rover V8 auto. I like the SD as its one of very few British cars that are V8. I always wondered why they never made a coupe version of the SD. It would have been a beautiful looking car.

[@alancobbin]

That new SD1 looks breathtaking,As much as I’d love to see Rover return with cutting edge products,sadly unless backers had more money than Elon musk and China it’s not gonna happen,I know it sounds total madness but even the Japanese car industry will be decimated over the next 10 years(Sad but true) cheers Tom.

[@tomdrives]

I agree with you Alan, it’s sad though how companies backed by one of the largest economies in the world are allowed to compete with privately owned organisations.

[@alancobbin]

@@tomdrivesindeed,that SD1 Concept looks so so good 👍

[@kenon6968]

Buick solely exists because Chinese buyers associated with luxury, any British brand will sell well in that market... crazier things have happened

[@ravenouself4181]

@@tomdrives many of those privately owner organizations are not only state-subsifized, but also wield power that rivals entire countries. and then there is stellantis and vw. to clarify, i understand where you are coming from, but very few of these privately owner conglomerates deserve your pity.

[@jonmilligan8069]

A modern take of the SD1 would look amazing 👌

[@manofthehour6856]

Despite being American, you never need to tell me how great the British motoring industry was, but with the transition to power other than petrol (be it electric, hydrogren, etc) presents Britain with a once in a century opportunity to transition to the needs of personal transport of the future while still looking to the traditions of the past. I think that BL designs (particularly those of Harris Mann) were utterly brilliant and forward thinking. The old Top Gear gang enjoyed taking aim at those cars, but there perspective was always comedic cynicism rather than seriousness with a healthy dose of positivity. Very interesting, Tom.

[@Arltratlo]

being European, i can tell you the UK car industrie been a barley know thing in Europe... we had Italian, French and German cars, much better build...much more numerous... i saw only a few SD1s and Austins in my life....some Spitfires and Rovers.....but millions of Opel, Renaults and Fiats! btw: Renault is a French car maker, Americans dont know that most times!

[@terrycox2063]

My dad and brother had rovers SD1, was a dream to drive, sporty drove well Still a car for today way ahead of it's time, the picture says it all just so so "cool" looking

[@MiguchaDonovanRicarardoMigucha]

Awesome ❤Thanks for sharing ❤

[@sandersson2813]

That looks so good man. Well done.

[@mufflejoy]

The SD1 was a favourite of mine in the day, excellent concept

[@Arltratlo]

wow, your bar being very low...i thought in the day about a nice Porsche or Mercedes SL! but i am not a Brit, so i dont want a crappy build car! and did you know, Mercedes and Porsche are still there. and who won the war again???

[@mufflejoy]

@@Arltratlo I was probably too young to overthink things that far - it is just a beautiful car with fantastic road presence.

[@Arltratlo]

@@mufflejoy because its been rare or just standing around the roads with open hoods??

[@Salman-sc8gr]

A testament to how great the design of SD1 ergonomics, allmost half a century on current cars instrument panel at exact same location, spread out in line of vision.

[@Arltratlo]

and cemented the UK build quality nobody wanted! why getting a SD1 if a Alfasud been better build...lol

[@johnje4285]

The SD1 was the most elegant car. Love to see it return as a hybrid but not electric

[@tomdrives]

I agree I’d prefer hydrogen or hybrid

[@knutarneaakra6013]

Agree😊

[@Arltratlo]

if its build with UK quality, it will never leave the factory on its 3 own wheels...!

[@tommysmith5479]

That SD1 concept is sublime and wonderful.

[@goblin457]

Unfortunately Rover still has a bad rap but I'd love to see what you've been talking about that SD1 looks awesome.

[@tomdrives]

It’s sad isn’t it? But Ford will live on with EcoBoom, Tesla will live on with autopilot failures and fires.

[@goblin457]

Yeah mate very

[@iangalbraith1258]

I love Rover, Triumph and Austin too, but.. sighs! Keep up the great work / video's ..please.

[@paulillingworth1242]

Imagine if Rover came back, it’d be great but it feels so unlikely but not totally out of the question as the brand is still owned by JLR

[@hoffwell]

Hasn't Sir Jim Ratcliffe started a new wholly British-owned car company recently? It's called Grenadier. The cars are made in France at the old Smart factory, but it's still a British car maker. Perhaps a new factory will appear here next??? What you are saying has already just happened.

[@TheMileswin]

Excellent ideals Tom. The range could include a new Austin Seven Super Mini, a small and mid range SUV with Triumph and Rover offerings like the Mustang SUV, Triumph TR advanced sports convertible and Rover fast back and sedan models.

[@user-cs5km2oo4b]

in the past i have owned austins, morris and triumphs (with a 4.2l jag motor fitted) but the problem was that the brits just kept putting out the same model year after year with no improvements, meanwhile in japan they continuously improved year after year. they also didnt go on strike every 10 minutes and not give finishing touches any care whatsoever\. my father had a triumph 2.5 and they hadnt even put any varnish/polyurethane on the door wood. the brits can make great cars but when they mass produced something by BL it was a disaster.

[@Sorted7]

I’m surprised triumph hasn’t been used as a sub brand on some bmw offshoot yet. Like they start making bodied sports cars like the z4 under the triumph brand or with a trim level of triumph to start off

[@tomdrives]

I am too but I’m also glad it hasn’t been relegated to that.

[@Arltratlo]

because outside the UK, barley anyone know Triumph... and as it is British, its crap anyway!

[@Sorted7]

@@Arltratlo maybe not the channel for u then?

[@alfsmith4936]

They became unfasionable in the 1970s and never recovered. I'd use the MG name again but Triumph doesn't appeal.

[@HardyBunster]

Love the look of that concept SD1. 👍

[@kevinfinnie64]

Beautiful SD , just shows that the SD 1's lines were ahead of its time as they still look fresh and current! as a middle aged bloke now with disposable income I would love one of these!!!

[@anthonytube]

Great SD1 concept. Really like the old SD1 and saw the cut away show car at a museum in Northern Ireland. The right car built by the wrong people. However even if a new version came to light, people would be intrigued but don’t it would translate to sales.

[@rovercoupe7104]

This is brilliant. Very well done. M.

[@TheAillingworth1975]

Always loved the SD1 and still one of my most favourite looking cars ever. This rendition looks amazing and i would want to buy one. Shows just how good the original was.

[@Arltratlo]

good looking, thats a word you can use for a normal car.... a SD1, you just dont drive it because you cant!

[@simonhodgetts6530]

That render looks amazing! I’d like to see something like this make a comeback - closest we’ve got so far to a reborn SD1 is the Audi A7 - acknowledged by Audi themselves to be inspired by the SD1.

[@AsherPiesman]

I enjoyed your take in the video and that modernized SD1 looks awesome, personally though I wouldn’t bring any of these old Marques back as such: I’d rebrand them slightly. Instead of Rover I’d re-launch the brand under the name Sterling and instead of Triumph more associated with motorbikes possibly leading to trademark issues I’d do what Citroen did with DS and make TR its own brand. I wouldn’t bother with Austin; I think it sounds old fashioned and fusty, maybe bringing back Morris with a retro styled Minor would be cool though.

[@nicklunness6862]

The SD1 Rover concept looks amazing and would sell. I am with you about bringing back Triumph also but would equally love to see Riley back as a marque which I believe BMW own. It would be great to be able to buy a new one of them!

[@dave_s_hemmings]

I like the idea of the three pronged attack, using Rover for the luxury models, Triumph the sporty ones and Austin as the “bread n butter”. Each marque would share a fully modular platform (to keep costs down) and share powertrains for the same reason. Rover models would include a modern SD1 as the “entry level” and maybe a new P5/P5B luxury crossover to appease those who like that kind of thing. These would be designed for refinement and comfort. Triumph models would deffo include a “TR” hardcore 2 seater and maybe a 21st century Stag 4 seater grand tourer. Austin models would include an 1100 style small hatch and Montego based family hatch/crossover. All would use hybrid power with the architecture to include full EV and/or hydrogen power as the industries improves. All would be built in a purpose new factory built in the Midlands (the spiritual home of all three brands).

[@tomdrives]

Brilliant Dave, along the same lines as me but more expanded.

[@darwenrover8910]

BMW own the rights to the Triumph name/marque. I think Austin and Morris are owned by SAIC.

[@jamespoyser106]

Love the sd1 concept a lot better looking than any Ev.Trx great idea ,and I think you could relaunch the meastro with a better drive train and body used grade because it's not that much different to a skoda Fabia or a polo great vid.Rover make back to the old days as a luxury mark.👍

[@jerryritchie9068]

Would the former Honda Swindon plant be a viable production option for your relaunched brand(s)?

[@georgeratcliffe7752]

A while ago now i got a photo of the GWM ORA Funky Cat, and edited it to look like a modern take on the Morris Minor, I created a whole range including 2 door, 4 door, convertible (and an attempt at a traveller although this wasnt so successful)

[@maverlk7]

Hi Tom, I like your overall plan, particularly the partition and product areas of the brands! I think the Austin range would need to be LFP battery based, with a ground up EV architecture, particularly as by the time the cars came to market, the 2035 ban and fines for sales of ICE cars would sabotage long term prospects. I have ideas for Triumph and Rover too and an SD1 for the modern era would be epic. Hydrogen is a complete non starter though, the tech is at least 20 years away! I think a plug in hybrid for the SD1 with electric motors for rear wheel (allowing a flat floor construction for easy conversion to full EV production in the future would be sensible. Having a vehicle platform that has a degree of future proofing makes a lot of sense. I envisage a starting system of 2 litre engine driving front wheels and a 30 to 40 kwh hour battery for rear charging from regen, the ICE engine and also home/public chargers. Easy to convert to full EV and this will ultimately be essential after 2035. These are my thoughts, I would be interested in your feedback.

[@steveholder3712]

Isn't the toyota plant in the UK Burnaston or Derbyshire for sale? Would that work as a factory?

[@user-pr9si8sh5d]

Your SD1 concept looks just gorgeous! It shows how much this car's design was well balanced and in advance of its time! I liked Rover SD1, though it was unreliable and poorly finished... It was a realy elegant and sporty looking car !

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

SD1concept is beautiful ❤😊🥰

[@philscott4522]

Sitting on our laurels, poor management and unions destroyed our car building! The Japanese brands saw potential and have since built plants here, says something!

[@jachuck4795]

Imagine the SD1 coming as a rival to the model 3 and the Seal. I’d love that

[@matthewc.419]

@TomDrives Nice one man , totally agree with you !!!! A hot new allegro !!! A bigger metro !! ???

[@shaunskett5717]

lov the concept SD1, i would buy one in a heartbeat.

[@ptaylor5014]

I would love to see a concept like this SDI for the MG Maestro and Montego 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@Arltratlo]

you need a lot of help with your mental issues!

[@James-cs2wi]

That blue SDI looks beautiful it would sell well😮 and hopefully be British❤❤

[@Arltratlo]

if its all British, who else would buy it??

[@James-cs2wi]

Everyone who owns One 30 years ago 😊

[@paulowen-iy6vm]

This SD1 concept looks stunning. It shows just how good this car's original design was, that 50 years later, the body shape still looks well balanced and in advance of its time! When the car firt came out, it looked like nothing else on the road, and to be honest still looks modern today. I had 2 Rover SD1, although I agree they were poorly finished, mine were extremely reliable, and I did more than 250K miles in the 2 of them albeit with tweaks and regular servicing required from time to time. The V8 esp SDI’s were gorgeous to drive, smooth, and relaxing. I have a BMW 5 series now, which in some ways is similar to drive, and a lot better made, but just doesn’t have the same character.

[@kelens]

I always have mixed feelings about watching your videos. As good as you are. And your excellent, I worked for MG Rover for 16: year's from 1989 to the end April 2005. I still feel so angry and sad about what happened. We had such a jewel that just needed tlc to make it shine. I will never forget my feelings of pride every time I went into work on my shifts. It would be nice to see it returning some days. But I'm not sure it could ever be quite the same. Longbridge is built over by housing and shops now. They destroyed the heart and sole and history. One day I will sit down and write all my feelings down and memories. Keep up your work with your videos please and keep the memories alive.

[@davidrowley9513]

I personally would like to see the UK start to design and build vehicles again with the profits staying in the UK. We used to build good cars back in time. We know we can do it as we are doing it now by building Japanese cars. Just need to get the right people and enough finance to get it off the ground.

[@pda49184]

I grew up with BMC, then British Leyland and then Rover. In-between I owned MG's and Triumphs . I was very upset when I saw all of that go down the pan, but it would make an old man very happy to see any of these brands come back and be made in the UK. There are a lot of multi billionaires out there, some of whom might be interested in this idea should they hear about it, (specially the older ones who might have owned a BMC/Rover/Triumph or MG etc in their youth.) Anything is possible ..

[@stevenmanning6884]

Really good idea, but hugely expensive to get off the ground. As an ex automotive engineer I'm aware of the costs involved. Probably better to start small may be with the Triumph maybe with the name like Triumphant therefore no name buy back. Power trains out sourced to save money. Moulded bodies to save money also on panel presses. If retro if panel dies available could be outsourced. All ancillaries are available in the market place. Yes I know it sounds like a kit car but I believe start small on a sound project and build from it. BMW will put a hefty price tag on those marks they hold may be better to start a new. That's my pipe dream.

[@cathandphilbomford417]

Your thoughts on what could be for rover and triumph i found really interesting.......but austin ,no they were boring in 68 when i was a little kid 😂.keep up the good work your videos are informative and very accurate..i saw Tony pond drive a sdi at sutton park (rac rally) in the 80s...magic.!!

[@wayland7150]

Boring can sell well. An Austin EV would make a lot of sense. With the small size it would charge fast and be excellent for driving locally.

[@chriswalters1958]

Love the concept mate. Unfortunately the market Triumph operated in doesn't really exist in a commercially viable state anymore. Saloons are mostly redundant in plans of many manufacturers today (Mondeo - Dead, Volvo saloons - dead in UK, etc.), so the Rover luxury saloon market - though likely appealing on a small scale to a limited market - wouldn't be commercially scalable either. I think the Austin segment is the one that makes the most sense - small electric runabouts with a Fiat 500 retro vibe. However, brand Rover as a luxury 4x4 marque with the Land Rover pedigree, and then you might be onto something.

[@Tourist1967]

The owners of the Land Rover name would not allow a 4x4 Rover.

[@adrianmorrow9882]

Love the SD1 design! If only it could be put into production!

[@shederickk]

Id love to bring reliant back. With its fibreglass on rolling chassis past, a modern ev skate with a carbon fibre body would be a good update

[@a11csc]

would love that SD1 tom

[@tomdrives]

It does look great, Larson Design did a great job.

[@paultierney8867]

You get the sd1 in production with new modern petrol engine, say the 245bhp audi q5 engine, or vw golf as I believe it originates and I will buy it ! Great take on the classic.

[@OutRAjious]

Roger 75 as a cabriolet say in that azure blue or navy metallic would have been a killer … except that I had a saloon and the mpg was horrendous!

[@Salman-sc8gr]

How Land Rover has retained its top slot for all these decades, same management same workers! Soo popular in Australia and the Range Rover remains the gold standard of the world in its sector and beyond.

[@martinbaldwin1906]

Probably could see a rover sd1 replacement made by Jaguar as a cheaper Jag, made partly with Jaguar bits. So that it didnt complete with Jaguar cars a lot of market research would have to be made, if they got it right it could very successfully. Something like that render, would be great, it would also have to appeal to different kinda of people than Jaguars, in fact it could be more successful than current Jaguar saloons.

[@alfsmith4936]

They could call it a Mondeo..

[@nigelcooper4285]

Well done

[@lordbrennanofsealand5772]

This would sell and is the sort of future looking car river used to build before catered to hyacinth bucket demography.

[@clivefrear1784]

For someone who claims little potential to develop a British car manufacturer, you’re starting with a sound proposition! I enjoyed your thoughts as someone who abandoned the retail motor industry - including a stint with MG Rover - sixteen years ago when the industry started on a suicidal ideology.

[@paultaylor9652]

I still believe the management "Phoenix Consortium" had a great deal to answer for and who were never brought to answer their feck ups. Sadly people in this country aren't interested in cars like this anymore Tom, it's all about the brand on the driveway, but even these brands aren't that well built and are expensive to repair.

[@alanpartington2540]

How did the Phoenix 4 f*** up? they intended to steal the money from the outset. They stole the money. Job done.

[@johnmoncrieff3034]

The way I would start these marques back up would be as small volume hand built units with a steel space frame chassis and a non steel body. Either composite or alloy panels! Fully independent (air-ride) suspension, lightweight alloy engines and gearboxes giving an overall weight of less than a ton fully fueled! Certainly for the smaller models and the sports vehicles! Every model to be an updated version of the original models in their styling, with 3, 4, 5, door versions of the family cars, and possibly a proper estate car included in the lineup!

[@jaywalker1233]

Updated SD1 has distinctive style and looks fantastic. Distinctive style defines brands and creates desire, and that’s what sells products and *that’s* why every car manufacturer strives for it because it is the most difficult thing to achieve (the rest - engines, running gear, suspension, trim etc - is pretty mundane in comparison and could all be provided by any of the leading Asian car companies).

[@Arltratlo]

just imagine its build with the same UK quality from in the 70s....only a real British patriot would buy it and ditch it in the ocean after 2 weeks!

[@jaywalker1233]

@@Arltratlo Just imagine Mini - built in Britain by British workers. Global hit for BMW

[@Arltratlo]

@@jaywalker1233 the new Mini, the old one died with the UK car industry... and BMW is German and who won the war again??

[@jaywalker1233]

@@Arltratlo Thanks for confirming you’re a troll

[@Arltratlo]

@@jaywalker1233 its funny, every time a Brit got beaten in an argument by a German, all is left for him/her to say is, but we won the war....! but now you need to explain which one, because the Americans and Russians won them for you....!

[@samgreen7077]

Maybe Jaguar's new move upmarket, aiming to be a rival to Bentley, leaves space in JLR's range for a Rover revival? A new Rover SD1 would be amazing! It would be great if the Makkina built Triumph TR25 concept shown last year convinces BMW that there is potential for a Triumph revival. I would love to see Austin revived, but sadly think the time might have passed. I remember back when NAC bought the rights to MG that there was talk of Austin being revived as the less sporty version of MG.

[@michaelf.h8507]

You did not mention the available Honda plant at Swindon which has only recently been vacated...better than starting from scratch !

[@kennedysingh3916]

Watched from Old Harbour Jamaica. In the 1960 British cars dominated the Jamaican market and we use to swear by them.

[@tomdrives]

What’s the most popular brand now over there?

[@kennedysingh3916]

@@tomdrives Japanese 🚗 Toyota mainly. The only new English brand I see in some number is Jaguar.

[@pkshome123]

But JLR is a British company alive and doing well, though the present owner is TATA Motors (Indian company).

[@rx6180]

These British brands (Rover, Austin and Triumph) are just too tainted to be resurrected and be a success. And I’m speaking as someone old enough to remember when these cars were everywhere and with a soft spot for old British brands. When they were ‘king’ there was no Korean car industry, no Chinese car industry, and not much of a German car industry - basically you’d got VW making the ‘people’s car’ and Mercedes-Benz making Rolls-Royce rivals and indestructible taxis. The BMW badge was on bubble cars. Everything has changed. There’s a different kind of customer who seeks kudos from the badge and the old BL brands wouldn’t cut it in a million years.

[@willhc9531]

Love your ideas. I always wonder what Rover would have been if Honda had been able to take ownership instead of BMW, I loved the Rover R8. Strangely, in my eyes, the new Honda Civic looks SD1 like in profile.

[@montymontgomery9576]

Never thought that for one moment 😊

[@laurensnieuwland4657]

That SD1 concept looks amazing! Sadly, however, I don't think we'll see anything happening which comes close to this. Jaguar is teetering closer and closer to closure, and nearly every other brand is either having difficulty competing with Chinese brands or having difficulty building EV platforms. I think the market is just too saturated at the moment, and we'll probably see more existing marques collapse, rather than new marques spring to life. SEAT is dead in 6 years, Jaguar won't make it to the 2040's if they keep on selling as badly as they currently do, Dodge and Chrysler will probably see significant downscaling or even their end... It's a bleak outlook for the old guard. Just a random thought: I keep being amazed by the logo design of Austin (and your profile pic which I assume was derived from it). It's so sleek and modern, even though it's 50 years old at this point...

[@CortinasAndClassics]

That is an epic SD1 concept design. ❤ it.

[@drb120176]

Looks mint

[@adampowell5376]

I think that British Leyland failed for just one reason. Merging car companies is a bit like a marriage: two is enough!

[@marcushull12]

Why anyone marries once is a mystery, why anyone marries twice is a bigger-mystery 😂 I`ll get my coat ....

[@adampowell5376]

@@marcushull12 I'm widowed now but we got married because we loved each other.

[@kymvalleygardensdesign5350]

To bring back a volume car producer would take a huge investment and sadly no government has ever had the guts to invest properly in British engineering, I could go on about this at length but I won't here. However, you did mention manufacturers like Noble, McLaren and Morgan, these are all specialist low-volume producers of highly sought-after vehicles that have made a name for themselves by offering what other manufacturers cannot, that is performance, class, style and character by excellent design. I am not sure how easy it would be to get Ford to part company with these brand names but let's imagine all the hurdles were put aside, then I believe Triumph could build a low-volume high-priced hand-built TR sports car and a sports saloon with tuned 6-cylinder petrol engines as they used to with a very limited edition high-performance saloon in the lineup. Whilst Rover went after the hand-built high luxury saloon market with a V8 offering every single extra it could possibly fit in the vehicle bespoke one-offs would be the key to raising the profile of the brand. Because all the general public wants to buy now are SUVs, Austin could design and build high-quality hand-built SUVs to rival and exceed all the other high-quality SUVs on the market. Being hand-built is the key here (and USP) all these brands were once hand-built and even offered different bodies by different coachbuilders. Look forward by looking back.

[@markjones-vx3kp]

That looks kin unbelievable how good looking is that send that off to somebody and get it built 😍😍

[@paulsan5820]

Please do a continuation video of this. It would be wonderful to have it for sale in the U.S. again. It was such a beautiful car but unfortunately the quality couldn't keep up with the Mercedes E class and others it was up against.

[@tomdrives]

A continuation of what theme? How the cars would be now or on the SD1 in general?

[@paulsan5820]

@@tomdrives How the cars would be now or in the near future. It sounded like you had some info on future plans but not sure if you can share that us or if it's just speculation.

[@jasongreen1834]

Hi if rover ever came back and built the sd1 consept that is shown I would be one of the first in queue to buy one it is stunning

[@mikebrickwork2407]

will never be dun , i was a road tester for the sdi , as a pdi , and as for market for evs its dead sales on the floor world wide your a dreamer

[@arnolddill]

I’m afraid you’re right to suggest it’s possibly just a pipe dream. There’s absolutely no way that this country will re-build any lost industry for any type of consumer product - cars or anything else. We can never be competitive in such endeavours again. Our only success stories now are specialist very high tech. Industries linked to military, Aerospace, and Medical products, etc. these are potentially huge cash generators, but employ relatively few people in proportion to our total workforce size.

[@charlesedwards4160]

Get that concept Rover SD1 hybrid built dawg.

[@laurensnieuwland4657]

Just another thing I'd like to add: I think there's a lot of potential for a very basic, cheap car. Like, as basic as it gets. Austin 7 level basic. Just the bare necessities, an electric drivetrain with a diesel/petrol range extender, and cheap to maintain.

[@sputumtube]

It would be nice if the original (British built) Mini was brought back, perhaps with a few (unseen) modern improvements.

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

It would be nice if the original (British built) Mini COULD be brought back, but unfortunately it’s completely impossible.

[@ethanlittle776]

I live every day believing they will all one day make a return. Lots of hope and dreams. The one up side of electric cars means retro is making a comeback

[@simonedwards5070]

Late father in law bought a brand new SD1 in 1981 it was rubbish fitted with no rear shock absorbers then the drivers door card fell off ripping out all the wiring within 6 months it had gone back to Bristol Street motors, he bought an Audi, that’s it

[@uha6477]

I think that's a pretty good outline. I wish it would happen, but I think the government (of any persuasion) support would be lacking. I don't think they'd want to stick their neck out. Someone needs to be make that new Rover SD1 concept. It looks amazing. I'd buy it on looks alone.

[@rhodaborrocks1654]

Sounds fantastic, perhaps when you've finished that you could restart the British shipbuilding industry?

[@hoffwell]

😂

[@harryboy3305]

And motorbikes

[@nigelcharlton-wright1747]

Interesting… I would relaunch the Rootes Group… Hillman to do battle with VW and other continental and Asian manufacturers. Singer for mid-range of cars and retro sports cars (built by Morgan but using aluminium instead of an ash frame. Humber to take on the high German brands. Sunbeam to become a rival to all of the supercar brands. Both Commer and Karrier would be light vans to mid-range truck and bus specialist. Armstrong Siddley as a rival to Rolls Royce/Bentley and AEC for busses and trucks and Scammell for heavy commercial vehicles. They would all be powered by a series of British designed and built running gear and run on LPG, hybrid and later hydrogen. I can only dream

[@robertpetch5182]

I think if they had done what they tried in 1988/9 when they dropped all the marques and tried to concentrate on Rover as the brand name, 20 years earlier when BL was formed it might have helped the company trim the range down, build better quality products, not have brands internally competing with other products and taking sales, more profit... It was daft in the 70's going into a BL dealer and having so many competing vehicles sat there with different badges

[@adampowell5376]

I think that a hybrid SD1 is a good idea. The SD1 has modern day aerodynamics.

[@pavloarmand4070]

I'd love to see the return of Rover. The 75 had and still has a great reputation. Times have changed since it's demise but the Rover marque could be resurrected as a pioneer for electric and hydrogen powered cars.

[@ipanemabeach2266]

My Rover 214i year 1998 is our daily driver. Most reliable car we’ve had, now for 18 years and 150,000 miles later!

[@PJ-om2wq]

Maybe Tata could use JLR designers to design a car for India as well using one of the Austin or Rover brands in Europe.

[@allangibson4354]

You made some excellent points. The main issues with that leviathan aka BLMC were Unions 50% Government 30% Appalling Management 15% Low Morale - Workforce 5%. Having said that BLMC were not the only British motor manufacture to suffer in much the same way e.g Rootes etc. We saw similar disasters for Britain in the decimation of what was once the worlds largest Ship Building country. Nissan had a first class idea when they insisted on, basically, one union. This has seemed to work pretty well - so far. In my opinion this has gone past the point of no return with more and foreign cars flooding our market especially with starting to enter from a country that could be described as one of our potential enemies - China.

[@jeffreystephenson6946]

The thumbnail picture reminds me of the new Kia sv6