What does Brexit mean for the UK’s automotive industry?

Britain’s automotive industry has been one of the ‘star performers’ of the UK economy in recent years, and is seen as having benefited from EU membership, for example in terms of access to the single market and hiring skilled staff from Europe. So what might Brexit mean for the sector, and in turn for industrial policy in the UK?

In late October 2016 Nissan announced that two new car models would be built in Sunderland, safeguarding 7,000 jobs, after receiving 'support and assurances' from the UK government about the country's future outside the EU. In November 2016 the European Commission asked for clarification of the terms of the assurances.

• Primary Source

ESO: In Focus: Brexit - The United Kingdom and the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/brexit-the-united-kingdom-and-the-european-union/

Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - SMMT: Topics: Europe http://www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/europe/

SMMT: Press Release, 24.06.16: SMMT statement in reaction to EU referendum result http://www.smmt.co.uk/2016/06/smmt-statement-in-reaction-to-eu-referendum-result/

The Guardian, 30.09.16: Nissan demands Brexit compensation for new UK investment https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/30/nissan-hard-brexit-compensation-new-uk-investment-tariffs

SMMT: Press Release, 20.06.16: Remaining in Europe critical to future of UK automotive industry, warns SMMT http://www.smmt.co.uk/2016/06/remaining-in-europe-critical-to-future-of-uk-automotive-industry-warns-smmt/

The Guardian, 30.09.16: European customers are boycotting British cars, says Jaguar Land Rover boss https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/30/european-customers-boycotting-british-cars-eu-brexit-vote-jaguar-land-rover

Politico, 30.09.16: Nissan investment in doubt over Brexit http://www.politico.eu/article/nissan-investment-in-doubt-over-brexit-sunderland/

ESO: Background information: Nissan boss warns UK over possible EU exit http://www.europeansources.info/record/nissan-boss-warns-uk-over-possible-eu-exit/

EurActiv, 19.10.16: Auto powerhouse Slovakia eyes post-Brexit UK car industry http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/weds-auto-giant-slovakia-eyes-post-brexit-uk-car-industry/

The Guardian, 27.10.16: Nissan to make new car models in UK as economy defies Brexit fears https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/oct/27/nissan-to-make-new-qashqai-and-x-trail-models-in-britain

BBC News, 27.10.16: Nissan to build new models in Sunderland http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37787890

Blog: NIESR, 27.10.16: Nissan, Brexit and 'industrial strategy' (J. Portes) http://www.niesr.ac.uk/blog/nissan-brexit-and-industrial-strategy

Politico, 04.11.16: Commission inquires about UK’s offer to Nissan http://www.politico.eu/article/commission-inquires-about-uks-offer-to-nissan/

The Guardian, 06.11.16: European commission to examine terms of UK's deal with Nissan https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/nov/06/european-commission-examine-terms-uk-deal-nissan

Politico, 23.11.16: UK watchdog raps government over Nissan deal http://www.politico.eu/pro/uk-watchdog-raps-government-over-nissan-deal/

UK: GOV.UK: Department for Exiting the European Union: News, 12.12.16: Ministers discuss Brexit with the automotive industry https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ministers-discuss-brexit-with-the-automotive-industry

SMMT: Press Release, 12.12.16: David Davis, Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union, and DfT and BEIS ministers host roundtable with SMMT and automotive leaders https://www.smmt.co.uk/2016/12/david-davis-secretary-of-state-for-exiting-the-european-union-and-dft-and-beis-ministers-host-roundtable-with-smmt-and-automotive-leaders/

The Conversation, 21.02.17: Peugeot bulked up with GM Europe could leave VW looking nervously in the rear-view mirror https://theconversation.com/peugeot-bulked-up-with-gm-europe-could-leave-vw-looking-nervously-in-the-rear-view-mirror-73288

In Facts, 13.11.17: Car industry could be devastated by May’s hard Brexit https://infacts.org/car-industry-devastated-mays-hard-brexit/

The Guardian, 04.08.17: UK car industry facing an 'utterly demoralising' Brexit https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/04/uk-car-industry-facing-an-utterly-demoralising-brexit

SMMT: Industry Topics: Brexit https://www.smmt.co.uk/industry-topics/brexit/

Huffington Post, 14.11.17: Aston Martin Warns It Could Have To Stop Making Cars If Brexit Talks Fail http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/aston-martin-warns-it-could-have-to-stop-making-cars-if-brexit-talks-fail_uk_5a0afc58e4b0bc648a0dd499

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