Ash tree fungus puts classic car manufacturer Morgan's 100-year-old tradition at risk

Classic car manufacturer Morgan has held crisis meetings over threats to the supply of ash, which it uses to make its vehicles.



The firm is concerned profits could be at risk if ministers fail to crack down on the spread of ash dieback.



They are also considering whether they may have to move to other types of wood as an emergency measure – even though this would end 100 years of manufacturing history.

Morgan makes 1,300 cars a year, all built with a frame made of ash, which is under threat due to a deadly fungus

Morgan uses ash in the framework of its cars. Some 1,300 of the high-end vehicles are made every year.



Steve Morris, operations director of the Worcestershire-based company, said yesterday: ‘This is fairly recent breaking news about the ash disease, and it could well affect us if we don’t do all we can to understand the situation.



‘I have spoken to our supplier and we will closely monitor this to make sure we don’t fall foul. If the supply of ash dries up, it would mean a 100-year turnaround in our techniques.

‘Ash has very good properties for stability and the way it can be formed. We have been using ash for traditional building for 100 years. It is possible that we would have to look at other types of wood. This news is a worry for us and we are taking it very seriously. It would be a shame if the problem escalated.’



The company’s website explains why it uses ash in the manufacture of its classic cars, which are delivered worldwide.



It says: ‘The Morgan car has always been built around an ash-frame, and a steel chassis. The new Aero 8 also has an ash frame.

