By a thread
The Brexit deal eliminates the risk of widespread exodus, but still could fall short for carmakers with too little leeway to take on more expenses. Any further fallout could have big implications for the UK economy.
The country s auto industry employs more than 860,000 people, over a fifth of whom are on staff at vehicle and parts factories. Carmakers sent 42.4 billion pounds ($57 billion) worth of autos and components overseas last year, 13% of the nation s total exports.
The domestic market is unlikely to compensate for any lost overseas sales. Registrations already dropped for three consecutive years before being decimated by the pandemic, plunging 31 per cent through November.