Formed in 1920 by Edward Boughton, Willie Emmott and Denis Brock to import and sell American made components for military vehicles which had been left behind after the First World War. Later on they obtained a licence to manufacture and sell the Lockheed Hydraulic Braking System in Britain and Europe, leading to the formation of a subsidiary, the Lockheed Hydraulic Brake Company Ltd. Automotive Products, also known as AP, came to dominate the UK market in clutches and brakes.

During the Second World War, AP manufactured aircraft and components for armaments. By the end of the 1950s the Aircraft Division was moved from Leamington to Speke airport, Liverpool, and was renamed Lockheed Precision Products.

In 1986, AP was bought by British Belting and Asbestos (BBA). AP and its parent company experienced a difficult period in the early 1990s, which led to restructuring and, in 1995, the sale of AP to a management consortium known as AP Group.