Global companies such as Taiwan's TSMC, America's Cisco and National Semiconductor and Germany's BMW are currently building plants in China, hoping to tap this abundant, cheap talent.

FORBES: The Cheap Decade

Kubica, hailed as a future world champion since he replaced Jacques Villeneuve at BMW Sauber mid-way through 2006, set about building enough of an advantage to enable him to make a second stop without losing the lead.

BBC: Kubica wins after Hamilton error

Reid added that companies such as Nissan, BMW Mini and Honda had good plants in the UK that were building desirable cars.

CNN: 'Affordable' Rolls-Royce powers record sales figures

The infrastructure, including a substantial building programme, has already been built at Longbridge to facilitate the production of the new Mini and BMW, and productivity at the site has increased hugely in the last 12 months.

BBC: 'Keep your word to the workers'