Malcolm Harbour MEP supports LTI Vehicles

Member of the European Parliament for the West Midlands, Malcolm Harbour met with LTI Vehicles Managing Director, Peter Shillcock, and Government Affairs Manager, Richard Daniels on a recent visit to LTI’s manufacturing facility in Coventry.

The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss a range of public policy issues of importance to LTI and to look at potential European funding to develop a more environmentally efficient power train.

During his visit Malcolm Harbour also had the opportunity to have a tour of the factory as well as have an in depth look at LTI Vehicles’ new model the TX4.

Malcolm Harbour commented: “I am delighted to hear about the success of LTI’s new model, the TX4, and to see the improvements to the vehicle’s disability accessibility features and improvements in comfort, performance and economy.

“The signing of a joint venture partnership with Geely in China is also excellent news for the future of LTI.”

Before entering the European Parliament in 1999, Malcolm worked in the motor industry, training as an engineer with Austin Rover, and later moving to Director level posts in sales and marketing.

It is indeed this experience which LTI Vehicles Managing Director, Peter Shillcock believes is invaluable. He said: “We are delighted that Malcolm visited us today and that he takes such an interest in LTI and our future.

“It is important that the West Midlands’ automotive industry is represented in Europe by someone with Malcolm’s experience and detailed knowledge of the motor industry.”

Mr Harbour finished the morning’s visit with the tour of the factory floor accompanied by Overseas Operations Co-ordinator, Nigel Walters. Nigel showed Malcolm around the plant highlighting the most recent changes to the factory’s machinery and LTI’s famous Fairway model bonnet press, which is the oldest operational automotive tooling press in Europe.

Malcolm was particularly interested in the developments to LTI Vehicles’ chassis line, which he had worked on during his engineering career in the early 1970s. He was also pleased to see the TX4’s new suspension and VM engine, which delivers more power and lower emissions.

Government Affairs Manager, Richard Daniels concluded: “We are extremely pleased that Malcolm visited us today and that we have his support in Brussels.

“Malcolm has a clear understanding of the challenges that LTI Vehicles face and we hope that he can support us to establish funding to develop a more environmentally efficient vehicle to meet these challenges.”