I once hitched a lift in the Italian Alps. It was my day off from working as a dishwasher in a UK-run hotel nearby. The car that pulled up was a Mini Cooper – the updated version. The man in the driver’s seat spoke good English and the topic of his car came up pretty quickly. He seemed delighted that it was a British vehicle, and even knew where the plant was – Oxford.

But how important is it for a British car brand to be built in Britain? After all, VWs and BMWs are built in various plants outside Germany, and yet they seem to have that ‘German something’.

If the notion that quintessentially British cars can be built outside the UK is true, then we might not be heading for the record production year that the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) expect.

In 2017 the UK is, say the SMMT, set to smash the 1971 manufacturing record of 1.92 million cars.

And currently, it does seem like British car making has never been in such good shape. But could its success impede that impressive objective?

The success of the Mini has led to a new plant in Holland, where they’re building hatchbacks because the Oxford Cowley plant is unable to meet demand.

Moreover, Range Rover is building a plant in China in order be closer to one of its main markets. It is also building a factory in Brazil which will be completed by 2017. The Range Rover Evoque has pushed profits for JLR up substantially and is popular in both countries.

Nissan, too, will be moving some its UK production abroad; the Qashqai will be built in Russia from next year, not just in Sunderland. The present Qashqai is unique in being designed, engineered and built entirely in the UK.

On the other hand, car makers like Jaguar – a relatively low volume manufacturer – are still manufacturing  in the UK. Its forthcoming BMW 3 Series rival could boost its sales figures a great deal.

And if other UK-built cars from Honda and Vauxhall can draw a bigger European audience – and if the European economy can recover as it’s expected to, then just maybe the UK can beat that 1971 record.

But if the business secretary could put a giant outboard motor on the UK and manoeuvre it to a position somewhere between India and China, he might be tempted.

Perhaps you’re one of our breakdown insurance customers with an opinion on this topic? As always, please leave your comments below.