UK car industry bosses have called on new prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to put motoring issues at the top of his to-do list after his Labour Party triumphed with a landslide election victory.
Labour made several automotive pledges as part of its election campaign (see in full below), from promising to reinstate the 2030 ban on the sale of new ICE cars to tackling insurance premiums, introducing a battery health standard for used EVs and aiding the construction of new battery factories.
Starmer also pledged to increase the roll out of EV chargers and mend Britain’s crumbling roads. “Rebuilding Britain means modernising our transport infrastructure,” he wrote in the party’s manifesto.
Labour’s victory has been applauded by both the BMW Group and Vauxhall owner Stellantis, the UK’s two biggest manufacturers, with major factories in Oxford and Ellesmere Port.
Stellantis UK boss Maria Grazia Davino said: “We congratulate Keir Starmer on his party’s election win. We now look forward to working with the new government on its industrial strategy to improve UK competitiveness, manufacturing, electrification and the ultimate aim of net zero.”
BMW said in a statement: “We look forward to engaging with the new government on the important issues facing the automotive industry.”
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders boss Mike Hawes was another to voice hope at Labour’s election win, given “the new government’s commitment to an industrial strategy and its already-published Automotive Sector Plan”.
Hawes said this “can boost manufacturing competitiveness, enhance trade relations and support consumers”.
He added: “The industry is fundamental to the achievement of net zero, which with the right conditions will deliver the growth the economy needs.
“We now look to continue our productive partnership with government to ensure the long-term success of the sector and all those who depend on it for their mobility, services and livelihoods.”
Fellow automotive lobby group the Institute of the Motor Industry, which has campaigned heavily on recruitment struggles within the sector, also welcomed the new government.
It said in a statement: “The Labour Party clearly identified its understanding of the importance of skills for UK infrastructure in its manifesto. It was also the only party with a dedicated automotive policy which recognised the contribution the motor industry will play in achieving net-zero goals.
“With a stated plan to allocate £1.5 billion to new gigafactories, as well as restoring the phase-out date of 2030 for new cars with internal combustion engines, clearly there is no time to lose in addressing the current challenges around further education and apprenticeships, as well as uplifting skills in the sector.”
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When will politicians wake up the fact that private buyers don'y easnt electric cars at this time? Best thing to do is get rid of the absurd penalties if manufacturers don't acheive their BEV quotas. None will - so they will go bankrupt. End of another industry. Thank you politics.