SIR MICHAEL EDWARDES REMEMBERED
‘Sir Michael Edwardes looms large over the history of British Leyland. On the one hand, you could say that he signed-off mass job losses, factory closures and the death of both Triumph and MG. But on the other, he managed to secure the finances to launch the Metro, Maestro and Montego, as well as bring Honda to the table, harness the unions and modernise the company in the process. In his all-too-brief five-year tenure at the top of BL, he clearly performed the miracle of keeping the company going when there was massive political pressure – right from the top – to close things down. My take on Edwardes is that he literally saved the company – one can only imagine how much healthier BL would have been had he taken over five years earlier, and stayed on after 1982.’
KEITH ADAMS FORMER CCW EDITOR AND BL EXPERT
‘A giant figure in the history of BL. It’s hard to overstate just what an impossible task he faced in 1978. But by facing down the unions, getting the Metro on to the market and making the deal with Honda, he not only ensured the company’s survival, but actually gave it hope for the future’.
ALEX RILEY THE CAR YEARS PRESENTER, TR7 OWNER, AND ARCH BL ENTHUSIAST
‘ The Metro Club is extremely saddened to hear of the death of Sir Michael Edwards. He ensured the survival of British Leyland and oversaw the introduction of the pivotal miniMetro, which went on to be a market best-seller and was influential in reviving British Leyland’s fortunes.’
TOM MORLEY CHAIRMAN, THE METRO CLUB
‘Sir Michael was instrumental in turning BL around and leaving it in much better shape by the time Maestro and Montego were launched, although ultimately probably not good enough shape. However, the investment in Cowley during his reign no doubt helped both Maestro and Montego and as a club, we are very sad to hear of his passing.’
TANYA FIELD, CHAIR, MAESTRO AND MONTEGO OWNERS’ CLUB