One of Britain’s biggest carmakers has given its strongest hint yet that it will lose out on building future models and creating jobs if Britain leaves the EU.
The comment from Toyota coincided with a survey showing UK car bosses overwhelmingly in favour of staying in the EU, although the same survey showed that smaller parts-makers appeared more sceptical.
In a survey by the SMMT trade body, 27 per cent of smaller components groups said they were unsure or that the UK should leave. Among the largest companies, not one leading SMMT member backed leaving.
Tony Walker, UK deputy managing director of Toyota Manufacturing, which employs 3,800 in Derbyshire and north Wales, said the company remained committed to building the Avensis and Auris but could make no promises about the future.
Mr Walker told The Times last year that he was hoping to win future models — perhaps even an upmarket Lexus vehicle — from Toyota headquarters to enable the Burnaston plant near Derby to re-open an assembly line mothballed during the recession.
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The SMMT survey of 43 per cent of the trade body’s members, accounting for more than 90 per cent of combined collective turnover, found 77 per cent of members in favour of remaining.
•The Corporation of London is to speak out in favour of remaining in the EU after a meeting of its Court of Common Council.