British Car Industry Bracing Itself For Brexit For The Second Time

The British car industry is, once again, getting ready to face the consequences UK’s exit from the European Union on October 31, The Guardian reports.

The UK was originally scheduled to leave in late March, but that date was pushed back in an attempt to help the nation secure trade deals with the European Union. Last year and into 2019, the leaders of various car manufacturers across the country said they were bracing for the impact a no-deal Brexit could have on the UK’s car manufacturing industry.

David Caro, the owner of Birmingham-based Qualpast, a maker of flock coating used for cars parts in vehicles from the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Bentley, says his company has seen a fall in orders from many of its major customers due to the uncertainty surrounding Brexit.

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“The industry is holding its breath waiting to see what will happen with Brexit,” Caro told The Guardian. “I would be surprised if there’s any new substantial investment before they know what’s going to happen with no deal.”

Qualpast imports all of its materials from mainland Europe and says that it cannot purchase the things it needs from the UK, which will force them to start a second round of stockpiling for the October 31 date after it previously built up supplies in preparation for the original date in March.

Honda has already announced the closure of its Swindon plant in 2021, BMW is moving some of its engine production abroad and, last month, the PSA Group disclosed that it had found a site in southern Europe to produce the Opel/Vauxhall Astra if the UK government fails to provide trade deals that won’t adversely affect the company.