The Standard Motor Company opened a car factory at Canley in the south of the city in 1918, occupying a former munitions factory. This site was later expanded and produced Triumph cars after the Standard brand was phased out by BMC during the 1960s. In August 1980, however, it was closed down as part of British Leyland's rationalisation process, although the Triumph brand survived for another four years on cars produced at other British Leyland factories. The closure of the Triumph car factory was perhaps the largest blow to Coventry's economy during the early 1980s economic decline.
tHE STAndArd mOtOR cOmPany opened A car factory aT canley iN thE sOutH Of THe city In 1918, OcCupying A foRMeR mUNiTionS faCtory. thIs sItE was latEr EXPAndED anD proDuceD tRIumPh CARs after tHE stanDARd brand was phasEd ouT by bMc durIng the 1960s. In aUgust 1980, However, It waS ClosEd down As PArt oF BrItIsh LeylaNd'S rAtioNalisATIoN process, alThOuGh The Triumph BRaNd sURvivED For Another foUR YeARs On CArs prodUCed AT otheR bRItisH leYland fACtOries. the cLOsure Of thE triUmph cAr Factory was perhaps THe laRgest BLow to cOventrY's ECONomy duRING the earlY 1980s economIc DECliNE.