Insider Media Limited

Made in the Midlands award nominee Morgan Motor Company wants to be "part of the revival of buying British", Insider has been told. Chairman and chief executive Charles Morgan said his business is "fighting a lone battle" as the only fully UK-owned car manufacturer left.

Morgan's plans include developing a material as an alternative to aluminium and a mystery vehicle to follow-up its widely-publicised 3 Wheeler.

The £40m-turnover Morgan Motor Company is battling it out for an award at Tuesday's Made in the Midlands ceremony at Coventry's Ricoh Arena in the Technology Transfer category. The Worcestershire business is up against Envisage Group and Malthouse Engineering.

Morgan told Insider: "Getting an award would be a great honour and fantastic for the 180 people who are are so skilled and assemble the cars. We are doing really well in a very competitive market in a time of recession.

"We are providing what people want with new technology. We are constantly bringing the car up-to-date. The appeal (of Morgan) is one of a bygone age when people were polite to each other but the technology is completely modern."

Morgan spoke with pride about how his business is now the only fully UK-owned car manufacturer left in the country, adding: "We are fighting a lone battle now but we are doing really well and there's room for expansion."

He shrugged off any suggestion of selling his business to a foreign owner saying it would "show a lack of faith" in his brand. Looking ahead, Morgan said there would be a new product launched next year to come off the back of the successful 3 Wheeler, which received a lot of positive press attention.

He added: "Morgan wants to be part of the revival of buying British".

Morgan said the company was currently working with researchers at Birmingham City University to develop a material type lighter than aluminium. There are also plans to develop Morgan's export market, of which makes up 70 per cent of its turnover, into the Japanese, North American and ultimately, Chinese markets.

To view the full shortlist for Tuesday's awards hosted by veteran politician Michael Portillo, click here.

It's your last chance to book tickets for Insider's inaugural Made in the Midlands event, which takes place on Tuesday 1 November. 

The evening will offer manufacturers the opportunity to meet together and as always with events such as this, to make new contacts and to gain valuable insight from talking to others in the same industry.

For more information and ticket sales, please click here or contact Kate Marshall on 0161 907 9741.