There is a lot in play here. Japan has a demographically caused labor shortage. To deal with this and to maintain political influence they have moved their more labor intensive jobs to countries where they need to maintain some political influence. If I recall, the four biggest Japanese car manufacturing plants are in the US. I suspect that Britain is not considered of as great importance to the Japanese interests so they will invest their capital elsewhere. Also there is a great deal of trade uncertainty. The EU has threatened trade sanctions on Britain which would greatly impact the car export business. Companies crave certainty so they don’t waste huge sums on a gamble.
As for electric cars; they don’t make sense. You can fill up a gas car in three minutes for a 400 mile trip. It takes up to five hours to fill an electric car for a shorter trip. There is probably a place for electric cars but they aren’t for the average person.
Not just from the Beeb...
Q for Honda: What need to make electric vehicles?!
Brexit is like ‘Global Warming’. It’s the political cause-du-jour. Sooner or later one or the other gets identified as an underlying cause.
Usual lies from the BBC
?? The only statement to that effect which I can see in the report is a direct quote from the Nissan Europe Chairman, the authenticity of which is not in doubt:
"the continued uncertainty around the UK's future relationship with the EU is not helping companies like ours to plan for the future".
But I see the following in the analysis by the BBC Business Editor which follows the report:
"Brexit issues may be lurking in the background, but Honda's real reasons for closing Swindon are about the future of the global car industry, not Britain's future relationship with Europe."
Plenty of good reasons for criticising the BBC without needing to invent them.
:)
it’s not a lie - note it talks about “continued uncertainty” — Brexit terms are not confirmed yet. Business hates uncertainty, it’s worse than any other option.