British motor industry’s ‘no’ to withdrawal from EU

More than 90% of companies operating in the British car industry want the country to stay in the European Union, a survey showed yesterday, with access to the single market deemed fundamental to the sector’s success.

The automotive industry has been one of the most vocal supporters of Britain’s role in the EU since prime minister David Cameron threw membership into doubt with the promise of an in/out referendum by the end of 2017 if his party wins next year’s national election.

Britain’s car industry, which employs around 730,000 people in Britain and generates sales of almost £60bn (€72.4bn) a year, enjoyed a renaissance in 2013, bucking a weak European trend to hit a six-year production high.