RMI: UK automotive needs a free trade deal

As the government moves towards its April 2017 article 50 declaration, the automotive industry is calling on politicians to ensure the car business is left with the structures it needs to prosper.

With this in mind the RMI is specifically calling for a free trade deal to support the industry’s future: “With the UK in a period of uncertainty, we are urging government to engage with all sectors in our industry to prevent any uncertainty, encourage confidence and enable investment”, said RMI board member Colin Parlett, speaking at this year’s retail motor industry federation annual dinner in London tonight (20 October 2016).

He added, “The UK’s automotive sector is a global leader and the future state and success of the industry could be jeopardised if a trade deal is not secured to allow tariff free access to the European single market – following our vote to leave the EU.

“It is now essential that the government makes a commitment to outline a clear negotiating position in order to ensure our industry has what it needs to secure its future success.

Political journalist Andrew Neil was the guest speaker at this year’s dinner.