UK trade body, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), is setting up working groups to represent the interests of the sector as Britain begins to pick its way through the perilous minefield of leaving the European Union (EU).
The importance of the industry can be gauged by Nissan chief, Carlos Ghosn recently pictured with UK Prime Minister, Theresa May on the steps of her London residence of 10 Downing Street and the subsequent announcement the Japanese automaker was to continue production at its major plant in Sunderland.
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“We have to react in terms of our member engagement,” said SMMT director of policy, Konstanze Scharring at last week’s Open Forum in Birmingham. “We have created the SMMT Brexit Taskforce – with the new international responsibility for trade the SMMT is starting up an international trade working group.
“And by popular demand from our members, we are establishing the SMMT customs and tariffs working group. It is a big and complex agreement we have to do, not just for the next two years, but probably for the next five or ten years.”
The policy director reiterated SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes’ call for continued access to the single market with no imposition of tariff or non-tariff barriers, coupled with the UK remaining in the Customs Union.
Continuity of rule making through regulatory harmonisation is also key for the SMMT as is what Scharring referred to as “guaranteed access to talent across Europe,” an issue which is coming to dominate the automotive landscape across the Continent as the sector looks to attract employees.
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By GlobalData“As an industry we are trying to work through the regulatory side,” added Scharring. “Our challenge is building up the supply chain.”
Considerable uncertainty continues to dog the Brexit process – hitherto unknown territory for the current 28 member States in the EU – as a UK High Court ruling last week provided for the terms of any withdrawal to be scrutinised by the British Parliament before going to Brussels.
The UK government is vigorously contesting this view however and has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn the lower jurisdiction, arguing the result of the referendum to quit Europe gave it an overwhelming mandate to proceed with leaving without initial recourse to the House of Commons.
