Development of connected and autonomous car industry will have a great positive impact on UK’s employment state and economy, a new research has found.
According to a research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the autonomous car industry will help generate 320,000 jobs in the UK, deliver a £51 billion boost to the UK economy and cut serious road accidents by over 25,000 cases by 2030.
The research study titled “Connected and Autonomous Vehicles: The UK Economic Opportunity” also forecasts UK as being a global leader in the industry.
Commenting on the research report, SMMT’s chief executive Mike Hawes said “Connected and autonomous cars will transform our roads and the way our society functions for generations to come, dramatically reducing accidents and helping to deliver more than £50 billion to our economy.”
“The KPMG report clearly shows the UK automotive industry is leading the way in developing the cars of the future and that it will act as a catalyst for wider economic benefits that will create more than 300,000 jobs by 2030. The UK must grasp the opportunities ahead and ensure it is continually at the forefront of pushing through these next breakthrough technologies.”
Transport Minister Robert Goodwill said “New technology is fundamental to government’s ambitious vision for our roads. That is why we are making huge investments to support innovation, including £19 million for real-world trials of driverless cars and £100 million to research autonomous vehicles, as recently announced in the Budget.
“Connected and autonomous cars will help us move towards a smart, safe, efficient and low-carbon future.”
The report was released at SMMTConnected, the country’s first industry-wide event held in London to demonstrate how the UK is already developing cars of the future.
