One of the auto industry’s most highly respected academics, Professor Garel Rhys, has died at the age of 76.
Welshman Rhys was widely acknowledged as a particular expert on the economics and history of the automotive business. His expertise was regularly called upon by industrial bodies and trade associations such as SMMT, governments and companies.
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He was the chairman of the Welsh Automotive Forum, Professor Emeritus and President of the Centre of Automotive Industry Research at Cardiff University and an adviser to Welsh Government on economic and automotive affairs.
He died in his sleep at his Cardiff home 21 February, a week before his 77th birthday, and he is survived by his wife and three children.
Welsh Automotive Forum chief executive Tim Williams said: “Garel’s death has been a tremendous shock to all in the forum and I know the sadness will be shared throughout the automotive community as we extend our very deepest and sincere condolences to his wife, Mavis, and children Jeremy, Angela and Gillian.
“Garel was born and brought up in the Swansea Valley but earned and enjoyed a distinguished and highly respected position in the global automotive industry so his passing will be felt around the world, where he extensively lectured and spoke at events.
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By GlobalData“His unrivalled international standing made him the natural and really the only choice to help establish the Welsh Automotive Forum in 1997 and after it was incorporated Garel became Chairman in 2001. He then fought tooth and nail to voice the concerns of the supply chain and automotive industry through some of the toughest times in recent history.
“He was a wise counsellor, often taking an alternative view to the popular train of thought on an issue, but he was invariably right in the end. Those who listened to his keynote speeches relished his presentation style of no-nonsense facts blended with that irrepressible Welsh humour and put-downs which made him so commanding and enjoyable.
“With his encyclopaedic knowledge of the Welsh automotive industry from the dawn of the motor car to the present day, I think it is fair to say we will not see his like again, and he will be sorely missed by hundreds if not thousands whose lives he touched during a very full life.”
Tim Williams added: “We respectfully ask that you consider the family’s privacy and direct all correspondence etc. to the Welsh Automotive Forum and use the email: info@welshautomotiveforum.co.uk “.
just-auto editor Dave Leggett writes: Sad news. Garel has been such a fixture in the UK auto industry over the decades. He understood the big picture alongside the details of the industry’s operation – some of which rarely breaks cover – and it was always great to talk to him about the underlying economics of the automotive business, manufacturing, the latest company developments and also reflect on the industry’s history and evolution.
He knew the business inside-out and was very highly respected as an economist and academic.
I also saw him give many a presentation and it was unfailingly entertaining, rapid-fire delivery – with that distinctive Welsh lilt – and with some lines you would simply not hear from anyone else. He was bubbling with insights. And I liked the fact that he did not use PowerPoint, but relied on oration, story-telling; old school. It’s a real loss.
But more than that, he was a generous man, honest, very happy to share his thoughts. He also had a great sense of humour – it could be very dry – and infective, boundless enthusiasm. It’s a loss and he’ll be missed by many. Condolences go out to his family.
From the just-auto archive: Garel Rhys on the global auto industry
