Brexit blues scupper plans for Nissan plant in UK
The car giant’s decision to ditch the investment is a warning sign of what a no-deal Brexit could do to British industry
London — Theresa May is launching a new working group to look for a Plan B on Brexit, but the prime minister’s latest initiative comes too late to stop businesses such as Nissan from ditching commitments to Britain. The Japanese carmaker cited ongoing doubts about the UK’s split from the EU in its decision to scrap plans to build a new vehicle model in the country. May’s government had previously gone out on a limb to safeguard Nissan’s investment in the UK, offering private assurances to the company. The Times newspaper suggested ministers will now consider withdrawing a £60m ($78m) package of support for Nissan. “We appreciate this will be disappointing for our UK team and partners,” Nissan Europe chair Gianluca de Ficchy said in a statement on Sunday. “The continued uncertainty around the UK’s future relationship with the EU is not helping companies like ours to plan for the future.” Business secretary Greg Clark described Nissan’s decision as “a blow to the sector and the region...
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