So today we take a look back at the days when
LDV - Leyland DAF - ruled the roost.
The assets of
LDV were bought by Chinese businesswoman Qu Li in October 2009 although original plans to relaunch the firm at a site in Birmingham making eco vans have failed to progress.
Meanwhile, the
LDV name now lives on elsewhere in the world after Chinese automotive giant SAIC launched an export drive to a range of markets, including Australia, Chile, South Africa and South-East Asia.
LDV dealer F&G Commercials Ltd, based at Leeds Road, Bradley, has been presented with a special Extra Mile award by parts distribution company Multipart for the support provided to
LDV customers over the past 12 months.
According to administrators, Malaysian vehicle distribution company Weststar is bidding for
LDV with two other potential suitors.
Mr Hunt said
LDV's financial difficulties, which culminated in the halting of production last December, had been widely publicised in recent months.
Thousands more workers are employed in firms which distribute
LDV vans or supply parts and other services, dealing a fresh blow to the motor manufacturing industry.
LDV's marketing manager, Guy Jones, blamed the Government saying it had not "addressed the fundamental issue, which is access to working capital now."
Malaysian giant Weststar announced last month that it had entered into an agreement with
LDV's owner, GAZ, to buy the firm.
LDV, owned by Russian giant GAZ, has invested tens of millions of pounds in recent years in the factory which has created 200 new jobs.
LDV managing director Allan Amey said: "The pounds 1million contract was put out to international tender and I am extremely pleased that a West Midlands- based company was able to meet the full criteria for this project."
Researchers have postulated that
LDV and PRRSV, which are closely related, are derived from a common ancestor (10,11).
