Toyota’s UK factories face an uncertain future after the company’s chairman admitted they needed to consider “how to survive” in the face of Theresa May’s Brexit plans.
The firm’s site at Burnaston, which producers the Auris and Auris Hybrid, and its engine production facility in Deeside, must find a way of remaining competitive after Prime minister may said the UK would leave the single market.
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• automobile prices could rise by £1,500 post-Brexit
Article 50 will be triggered in March with a full exit expected by early 2019 and if a trade deal is not in place, automobile makers could be hit by substantial tariffs when exporting cars to the EU or importing parts from suppliers.
Takeshi Uchiyamada, chairman of Toyota, speaking to the FT, said: “I won’t say that there is no impact to the company. We have seen the direction of the Prime minister of the UK, [so] we are now going to consider, together with the suppliers, how our company can survive.”
Fellow Japanese automobile maker Nissan has already received guarantees from the government over its Sunderland plant and while there’s no indication Uchiyamada wants similar terms for Burnaston and Deeside, he’s optimstic Toyota can stay in the UK.