BMW last night gave a resounding vote of confidence in Brexit Britain as it signalled its long-term commitment to the UK.
The German car giant rubbished claims that it would be forced to shut plants in Britain if we leave the customs union without a deal.
It insisted the comments, made by its UK customs manager and reported in the Financial Times, had been ‘taken out of context’.
Stressing that Britain is the ‘home’ of Rolls-Royce and Mini and BMW’s fourth biggest global market, it said closing any of its factories is not an option.
Dr Ian Robertson, BMW’s special representative in the UK, said leaving the customs union might mean we ‘may have to spend more money we don’t want to’
As the UK car industry lobby group was last night accused of ‘reigniting Project Fear’, BMW struck a more measured tone.
Dr Ian Robertson, BMW’s special representative in the UK, said his company was concerned about extra costs that would be incurred if every lorry bringing components to its factories from the continent has to be checked by customs officials. With a Mini rolling off its production line in Oxford every 67 seconds, Dr Robertson said this would pose a major challenge – but one that it will be able to overcome.
He said leaving the customs union might mean we ‘may have to spend more money we don’t want to’ on warehouses to stockpile parts and in creating new customs systems.
But asked whether BMW would consider moving investment out of Britain if the country leaves the customs union and the single market, he said: ‘We are not considering that as an option.
‘We are considering what we would need to have in place to overcome such impediments to border fluidity. That’s where we are focused right now.’
Describing his pride at BMW’s achievements in the UK, Dr Robertson said: ‘I would hate, both personally and professionally, if it was knocked off course because of some changes in the political environment.’
The German car giant rubbished claims that it would be forced to shut plants in Britain if we leave the customs union without a deal
But he added: ‘Knocking off course does not mean a complete U-turn.’ It has invested about £2billion in its four plants in the UK since 2000 and BMW points out Britain is the country in the world where it manufactures all three of its brands – BMW, Mini and Rolls -Royce. The firm has also committed to build the new electric Mini at its plant in Cowley, Oxford, underlining its long term investment in the UK.
Dr Robertson said: ‘Britain is the fourth biggest market in world for us. It is also the home of Mini and Rolls-Royce. We are committed to our investment here and the 8,000 people we employ.’
The assurances from the German giant come after a string of foreign-owned car makers including Japan’s Nissan and Toyota, and Vauxhall owner PSA Group, announced plans to build new models in the UK. It contrasts with dire warnings from the The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders that manufacturers in Britain could suffer a ‘death by a thousand cuts’ outside the EU.
Blair: We may have to delay EU departure
Theresa May faces delaying the March 2019 Brexit date because of the deadlock over the UK’s future outside the EU, Tony Blair will say today.
He will tell the Chatham House foreign affairs think tank: ‘We should plan now for the possibility we need to extend the March 2019 deadline. Presently, we are drifting towards March 2019 with no clear negotiating position, no resolution of the Northern Ireland question, still vaguely hoping Europe will allow us access to the single market without abiding by its rules which it will never do…’
Spanish foreign minister Josep Borrell said Madrid would gang up with France and Germany to oppose Britain’s proposals.
He said: ‘They will not win the battle. They have not enough power. Germany will say no, France will say no.’
Tony Blair is set to tell an audience at Chatham House that the Brexit deadline should be extended