Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös has categorically refuted the idea that post-Brexit trading obstacles – lambasted loudly in recent weeks by local car and component manufacturers – threaten the firm’s ability to carry on building cars in Sussex.
“We're obviously committed to Goodwood. I've always said it and continue to say it,” he said. “We aren't in any position where we would go out and start fishing for money, particularly after we decided that [the] Spectre [EV] will be built in Goodwood.”
Stellantis boss Carlos Tavares recently suggested that unless the UK renegotiated with the EU over punitive ‘rules of origin’ tariffs, which would vastly increase the cost of building cars for export, his company would be forced to consider the viability of its Ellesmere Port and Luton factories – a call that was subsequently echoed by JLR and Ford.
Prime minister Rishi Sunak is reportedly in talks with the EU about a potential deal.
Müller-Ötvös is unfazed, however. “We're committed. We're even so committed that we're investing heavily into the future and we're currently handing planning permission in for a massive site extension.
“This will happen over the course of 2025, 2026 and 2027. We will build and expand quite massively.
"I can’t imagine building Rolls-Royces anywhere else than in the UK – elsewhere than in Goodwood.”
Adrian Hallmark, CEO of rival brand Bentley, recently expressed similar sentiments, explaining that his firm’s upcoming EVs will be built in Crewe even if the batteries are sourced from overseas.
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