Toyota Motor has moved to reassure employees at its UK plants that it will "fight" to maintain operations in the UK after the country leaves the European Union, according to reports in Japan.
Toyota's chief global competitive officer, Didier Leroy, said the company has no immediate plans to seek assurances from the UK government about the country's post-Brexit access to EU markets.
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His comments follow Nissan's decision to commit to the production of two new models, the new generation Qashqai and X-Trail models, at its plant in Sunderland plant following one-on-one talks with the UK government last week.
Toyota directly employs 3,400 people at its Burnaston car plant in Derbyshire and its engine plant in Deeside in north Wales. Thousands of others are employed in the Toyota supply chain. Around 85% of vehicle output is exported.
Leroy acknowledged that the competitiveness of Toyota's UK operations could be hurt by Brexit, but added that the impact of on foreign firms operations in the UK remains unclear."Of course if there are tariffs or other specific taxes on our exports to Europe then it will be bad news," he added.
At this stage the company does not plan to demand guarantees from the UK government ahead of any decision."We trust that EU and UK will find the appropriate agreement."
The company's immediate focus will be to keep its staff motivated and balance out the negative impact of the constant press speculation on Brexit.
