Ford Adds To Carmaker Calls For Extension On Rule Of Origin Requirements

The Ford Motor Company has added to the calls for post-Brexit EU trade requirements on rules of origin to be extended to 2027 from 2024 at present to 'allow time for the battery supply chain to develop in Europe and to meet electric vehicle demand'. Adds that 'tariffs will hurt manufacturers in the UK and EU, so it is vital that both sides 'come to the table'.

• The comments from Ford come hours after Stellantis, the owner of Vauxhall, Peugeot, Citroen and Fiat, warned that the rule of origin requirements due to come in could see a 10% tariff imposed on vehicles being exported from the UK to the EU. Stellantis added that. "If the cost of electric vehicle manufacturing in the UK becomes uncompetitive and unsustainable, operations will close,"
• Following a meeting earlier today between Stellantis execs and UK Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch, the BBC reported that, "Sources described the meeting as constructive and also said that conversations with the EU led them to be cautiously optimistic that the EU also recognises a deal to defer a January 2024 cliff edge - when 55% of an electric cars components by value must come from the UK or EU to avoid tariffs - would be in both parties interest as many manufacturers in the UK and EU are facing difficulties sourcing batteries."