War on wheels

During the second world war the British motor industry underwent a major transformation. From manufacturing cars and commercial vehicles, factories switched to turning out military vehicles, tanks, aircraft engines, aircraft and a variety of other weapons for the Armed Forces. The government invested significantly in existing car factories and new `shadow factories´ to increase production. Existing car factories were expanded and shadow factories were built by the government in two schemes so the car industry could duplicate production of an aircraft or aero engine factory.