Toyota: We are backing Prime Minister’s Brexit deal
TOYOTA has reaffirmed its backing for Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit deal, adding that leaving the EU without an agreement would be unacceptable.
The Japanese manufacturer repeated its stance at the ceremony yesterday to mark the official launch of production of the Corolla.
The firm held the ceremony at the same time as Mrs May delivered a speech in Stoke in which she urged MPs to back her Brexit deal “for the country’s sake” ahead of a Commons vote due to take place on Tuesday.
For some time now, Toyota, along with other car manufacturers with factories in Britain, have been calling for a transitional agreement that would allow them time to prepare for the UK’s final exit from Europe.
Toyota, which employs 2,600 people at its Burnaston factory and a further 600 at its engine-making plant at Deeside, North Wales, has called for the continuation of “free and frictionless” trade with the EU.
Around 90% of the cars made at Burnaston are exported to the EU. The factory also relies on components from mainland Europe which are imported on a “just in time” basis to help reduce costs.
However, a no-deal Brexit could see heavy tariffs imposed on the factory’s exports while the supply of imported components could be seriously disrupted.
Speaking to the Derby Telegraph, Marvin Cooke, managing director of Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: “Our position on this has not changed. We support the transitional deal that has been proposed by Mrs May. For us, a no-deal Brexit is not an option.”
Among the guests at the Corolla launch ceremony was Business Secretary Greg Clark, who has been a strong advocate of the British car manufacturing industry.
Mr Clark said that the faith Toyota had shown in the UK meant that the Government had “an obligation” to listen to and take into account its concerns.
He said: “We value highly the commitment Toyota has made to the UK. It is a successful partnership. Toyota’s decision to produce the new Corolla hybrid here in Britain is testament to our proud manufacturing heritage, the highly skilled workforce and leading innovation that sets our world-beating automotive industry apart.”
President and chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe, Dr Johan van Zyl, who was also at the ceremony, said that Toyota was “playing its part” by investing in its Burnaston factory and starting production on a new model.
He said: “The Government has to provide the right conditions so that we can remain competitive.”
Pete Tsouvallaris, a Unite union representative who has worked at Toyota’s Burnaston factory for almost a quarter of a century, said: “The whole workforce are really excited about the new Corolla. Without doubt it is the best car we have ever made. “However, there remains the issue of Brexit. Anything would be better than a no-deal Brexit.”