Here's How Britain's Automakers Are Reacting to Brexit

Mark Stevenson
by Mark Stevenson

The United Kingdom, through referendum, has decided to break off from Europe and go it alone. But what of all the auto manufacturers that produce vehicles in the island nation? And of their employees? And trade?

We won’t know the answers to those questions until the UK and European governments sort out how the two entities will work together in the future. For now, it’s business as usual. Though, thanks to Autocar, we at least have reactions from the big players in the UK’s automotive industry.

BMW, manufacturer of Mini in the UK

“BMW Group respects the British electorate’s decision to leave the EU. While it is clear there will now be a period of uncertainty, there will be no immediate change to our operations in the UK.”

Ford

“Ford’s priority has always been the need to maintain a stable trading environment so that we can continue building a strong and sustainably profitable business in the UK and Europe, and thereby provide a more secure future for our nearly 14,000 direct employees in the UK.

“We will continue working toward this goal with key stakeholders in the UK and across the other Member States and EU institutions to ensure they understand our concerns, which mirror those of the majority of the UK and European auto industry.

“While Ford will take whatever action is needed to ensure that our European business remains competitive and keeps to the path toward sustainable profitability, we have made no changes to our current investment plans and will not do so unless there is clear evidence that action is needed.”

Jaguar Land Rover

“For Jaguar Land Rover, today is just business as usual. We are a British business with a strong manufacturing base in this country, we call Britain home and we remain committed to all our manufacturing sites and investment decisions.

“We respect the decision of the British people and in common with all other businesses, Jaguar Land Rover will analyse the issues arising from it: as of today, nothing has changed for us or the rest of the British automotive industry.

“Europe is a key strategic market for our business, comprising 20% of global sales, and we remain absolutely committed to our customers in the EU.

“There will be a significant negotiating period, and we need to understand more about that as details emerge. We will work hard with all parties to ensure that the importance of the British automotive industry is fully understood at every level of the negotiation process.”

Nissan

The Autocar report states Nissan declined to comment, but it mentioned that the Japanese brand plans to sue the Vote Leave campaign after its logo was used in a flyer.

Toyota

“Going forward, we will closely monitor and analyse the impact on our business operations in the UK, and how we can maintain competitiveness and secure sustainable growth together with the UK automotive industry and other stakeholders.”

Vauxhall, General Motors brand in the UK

“It is important for Vauxhall that negotiations on the UK’s future relationship with the EU are concluded in a timely manner. It is also important that business continues to benefit from the free movement of goods and people during this period.

“Communication on the development of the future relationship with the EU should also be clear and transparent. We fully support remaining part of the European Economic Area.”

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)

“The British public has chosen a new future out of Europe. Government must now maintain economic stability and secure a deal with the EU which safeguards UK automotive interests.

“This includes securing tariff-free access to European and other global markets, ensuring we can recruit talent from the EU and the rest of the world and making the UK the most competitive place in Europe for automotive investment.”

[Image: Wikipedia]

Mark Stevenson
Mark Stevenson

More by Mark Stevenson

Comments
Join the conversation
5 of 79 comments
  • Sector 5 Sector 5 on Jun 24, 2016

    How much of the 4% margin was just anti-Cameron vote? What has the civil service been upto witb China and Putin? The foriegn office spins policy, prime ministers come and go and are just a front for the domestic scene. Putin has been so quiet. Behind the scenes deals must have been reached. Then they sign with China asian bank and reduce the number of aircraft carriers from 7 to 3. No big presence in the south china seas...

  • Zipper69 Zipper69 on Jun 25, 2016

    As a Brit who lived and worked in Europe for almost a decade until 2007 I weep for the unthinking morons that waved the "Little England" flag and allowed xenophobia to control them. The question they failed to ask themselves: "What benefit does exit from the EU give to the UK?" The answer is of course. none. The market has tumbled, exchange rate in the crapper and thousands of expat Brits in Europe now uncertain as to their status. Mentioned in my Florida paper today, Brits who have holiday homes in Spain, Italy and Greece. Currently they can stay year round, if they are suddenly just "foreigners" will they be like non-US citizens here and be forced to limit their visits to, say six months? What of the tens of thousands of EU citizens living and working in the UK? Will they have a Trump-style roundup and deportation? I see there is already a million signature petition for a second vote...too little, too late ! I saw this retrograde thinking process building up which is why I chose to find a safe haven in the USA and happily become a citizen.

    • See 2 previous
    • 28-Cars-Later 28-Cars-Later on Jun 27, 2016

      @Lou_BC Leaving one union to join another, so much for "independence". Freedumb!

  • Tassos Jong-iL Communist America Rises!
  • Merc190 A CB7 Accord with the 5 cylinder
  • MRF 95 T-Bird Daihatsu Copen- A fun Kei sized roadster. Equipped with a 660cc three, a five speed manual and a retractable roof it’s all you need. Subaru Levorg wagon-because not everyone needs a lifted Outback.
  • Merc190 I test drive one of these back in the day with an automatic, just to drive an Alfa, with a Busso no less. Didn't care for the dash design, would be a fun adventure to find some scrapped Lancia Themas or Saab 900's and do some swapping to make car even sweeter. But definitely lose the ground effects.
  • MRF 95 T-Bird These 164s, as documented by its owner have to be constantly sorted, as they say. They are nice drivers. I’d rather find a, under the 25 year rule nice and easier to deal with Type 916 Alfa Romeo GTV/Spyder.
Next