Aston: We’ll fly in parts

Car makers’ post-Brexit plans

LUXURY car makers Aston Martin are considering flying in parts to beat any Brexit no-deal chaos.

Boss Andy Palmer also revealed they are looking at using ports other than Dover to try to get around lengthy border hold-ups.

It comes as firms ramp up emergency planning for the UK leaving the EU next March without a “frictionless” customs deal in place. The automotive sector risks being hit hard because it relies on a “just in time” supply chain, with thousands of parts crossing the Channel every day.

But there is concern Dover’s port may not be able to cope with new red tape.

Palmer said he hoped the Government and Brussels could reach an agreement soon. But he said the firm, whose shares have fallen sharply since their recent stock market flotation, were preparing for the worst. “You can get a few days of engines and gearboxes relatively easily into the cargo decks of a plane so while it’s relatively expensive, that is probably our primary back-up,” he said, adding the firm only did so in an emergency at present. Coventry and Birmingham Airports, near the firm’s central Gaydon plant, and the port of Sunderland are among locations being considered. “There is undoubtedly a cost associated with it but it’s cheaper than not building cars,” Palmer said. It came as Jaguar Land Rover yesterday began a two-week shutdown of their Solihull plans following a slump in demand. Christian Stadler, professor of strategy at Warwick Business School, said: “JLR are one of many UK car manufacturers heading into troubled waters.” He warned JLR risked being hit by both Brexit and an economic slowdown in China, their biggest market. firm behind a number of airlines’ first class cabins. Whitbread are focusing on Premier Inn after last month announcing a mega £3.9billion sale of Costa Coffee to Coca-Cola.

Each Zip room measures just 8.5 square metres, less than half the size of a standard Premier Inn room. Despite the size, they still include twin beds that can be pushed together, an en suite shower and toilet, and a TV.