To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of recent warnings by BMW and Toyota that their UK car production may be threatened in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Answered on
12 March 2019
We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for the automotive sector. BEIS Ministers and officials regularly engage with the automotive industry, including bilaterals with manufacturers, interactions via trade associations, and through the Department’s participation in the Automotive Council.
Government has understood BMW’s warning that no deal would be a danger to MINI production in the UK. We have also heard from Toyota the impact that a no deal scenario would have on its business.
Leaving the EU with a deal that supports the future of British industry remains the government’s top priority. As set out in the Political Declaration, the UK and the EU have agreed on a free trade area for goods, including automotive. This would combine deep regulatory and customs cooperation with no tariffs and no quotas, underpinned by provisions ensuring open and fair competition.