BRITAIN TO LOSE OUT?

WHEN INEOS founder Jim Ratcliffe announced plans to develop a follow up to the Land Rover Defender earlier this year, it was exciting news for the UK manufacturing economy, with the director, Tom Crotty (pictured), saying they hoped to create lots of jobs.

According to Sky News however, the petrochemicals giant has held talks with a number of prospective partners in Europe as it looks for a manufacturing base for a new 4x4 vehicle outside the UK. While the UK is still the preferred manufacturing base, it may make more business sense for Ineos to look further afield, especially if Britain fails to secure a tariff-free deal and open borders to allow products and parts to flow freely.

As Brexit negotiations get underway watch this space to see who Ineos partners with to produce its projected 25,000 vehicles a year.