BMW stresses EU benefits

Car giant BMW Group took the unprecedented step yesterday (March 3) of contacting its 8,000 UK workforce by email, highlighting the risk to the UK of an EU Brexit.

The emailed letter states, “The BMW Group believes that the UK is better as a member of the EU than it would be outside it.”

Although the German firm stresses the ultimate decision is that of the British people, the email speaks of the “significant benefit” BMW Group derives from the “easy movement of our people between the UK and Europe. This allows the rapid transfer of expert knowledge throughout the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW Group networks, building the skill level of our UK workforce.”

And without that, it says, the employment base of the company could be affected.

BMW says the UK is its fourth-largest sales market. “Free trade is important for international business. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars exports motor cars throughout the EU and imports a significant number of parts through the region.

“For BMW Group, more than half of Minis built and virtually all the engines and components made in the UK are exported to the EU, with over 150,000 new cars and many hundreds of thousands of parts imported from Europe each year.

It adds, “Tariff barriers would mean higher costs and higher prices and we cannot assume that the UK would be granted free trade with Europe from outside the EU.”

Backed

The BMW Group mailing was backed by Unite convenor and vice chair of the EWC at BMW in Oxford, Chris Bond.

Bond welcomed BMW’s statement to its workforce on the importance of the UK remaining part of the European Union.

He said, “It is right and proper that BMW communicates with its workforce on an issue of such significance and we strongly agree that remaining part of the European Union is vital for the continued successful development of the automotive industry in this country and also for ensuring that we benefit from the strong social and employment rights that being part of the European Union brings us.”

The BMW email came on the same day as results of a survey from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which said that three quarters of SMMT members say remaining in Europe is best for their business.

SMMT represents over 30 manufacturers building 70 models of vehicles in the UK, and said its members had now “clearly stated” that pulling out of the EU could jeopardise jobs, investment and growth.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “The message from UK Automotive is clear – being in Europe is vital for the future of this industry and to secure jobs, investment and growth. UK Automotive is thriving, with record car exports, new registrations and the highest manufacturing levels for a decade.

“Our industry supports 800,000 jobs across the UK and contributes more than £15bn to the UK economy – our members have clearly stated that pulling out of Europe could jeopardise this.”