Published at 11:39, Thursday, 19 November 2009

A business built from a small home-run firm in 1979 to one of the world’s top motorsport development and engineering companies is one which swells Cumbria’s pride.

Now rally team boss Malcolm Wilson has boosted Cumbria’s economy as well by unveiling his company’s newest car.

The Ford Fiesta S2000 will safeguard more than 200 jobs at M-Sport’s Dovenby Hall headquarters, near Cockermouth.

And it could see even more posts created as the rally car – priced close to £270,000 – is sold to customers worldwide.

The car, developed with motoring giant Ford, is the second to be launched by M-Sport this year

M-Sport has been Ford’s choice to lead its assault in the FIA World Rally Championship since 1997.

The S2000 will be ready to compete in national and international rally championships all over the world next year.

In the current climate of financial restraint, job insecurity and low expectation, this home-grown success story underscores the importance of self-belief and application.

It isn’t the only company in Cumbria holding with tough principles of working hard, with drive and innovation, to reject compromise on quality and meet its market demands for the best money can buy.

But today it stands as an example of how much can be achieved by local talent, in spite of economic doldrums.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk