[eye30]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23406467

The UK car industry was once one of Germany's biggest competitors; now it has become one of its biggest assets


Even the most celebrated British car of all - the Mini, launched in 1959 - was a reflection of our industrial and imperial decline.

With fuel prices rocketing after Britain's disastrous bid to recapture the Suez Canal from Egypt in 1956, BMC's designers had been told to produce a car that was smaller and required less petrol.

And although the Mini was an enormous hit, there was a sting in the tail. BMC actually lost £30 for every car it sold.

[2i30s]

sounds just like the australian car market,the p76 was sold for less than it cost to build. 

[Phil №❶]

That is not a recipe for longevity. I wonder how many qualified bean counters it took, to work that out. 

[Doggie 1]

sounds just like the australian car market,the p76 was sold for less than it cost to build. 

Almost, but not quite true.
Depending on the model, they made as low as $30 per car, more for the higher-spec cars.

[Lakes]

must have been hopping to recover some in spare parts prices?

[Doggie 1]

I think they were just hoping to establish themselves as a competitor to the Big 3 and that the profits would come later.