Toyota warns no-deal Brexit would halt production at key plant
2 min read
A no-deal Brexit would temporarily shut down a major Toyota plant, the carmaker has warned.
Toyota's plant at Burnaston, near Derby, produced nearly 150,000 cars last year, with nine in ten exported to the European Union.
But managing director Marvin Cooke told the BBC: "My view is that if Britain crashes out of the EU at the end of March we will see production stops in our factory.
Asked how long this would last, he said: "We can't predict - it could be hours, days, weeks - even months."
The firm has said it cannot predict how long a closure would last, but unions are concerned a halt in production could see workers being let go.
Responding to the claims, a Government spokesman said: "We are determined to ensure that the UK continues to be one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive and other advanced manufacturing.
"We have put forward a precise and credible plan for our future relationship with the EU.
“As part of this we have proposed a UK-EU free trade area underpinned by a common rulebook on manufactured goods, such as automotives."
The news came as a Tory minister told PoliticsHome's sister title the House that the Conservatives had "lost their way" as the party of business.
Sam Gyimah said the financial crash had allowed the "far-left" to enjoy a “field day”, while the vote to leave the EU and the party losing its majority at last year’s election had the Tories “confused”.
PoliticsHome Newsletters
PoliticsHome provides the most comprehensive coverage of UK politics anywhere on the web, offering high quality original reporting and analysis: Subscribe
