Investment in the UK car sector almost halved last year and output tumbled as Brexit fears put firms on red alert, the industry's trade body said. Inward investment fell 46.5% to £588.6m last year from £1.1bn in 2017, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says.
Failing to strike a Brexit deal would put hundreds of thousands of jobs in the car industry at risk, MPs have said. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee said continued close alignment with the EU would ensure the industry's survival. And it warned the introduction of trade barriers would leave the sector unable to compete with its European rivals.