Challenges for European OEMs in 2017 and beyond

In light of the UK’s Brexit vote, much attention was paid to the impact this could have on the UK automotive manufacturing plants and potential future investments. The decision by Nissan to build the next-generation Qashqai at Sunderland, as well as adding the X-Trail to its UK production line-up, was hailed as a sign that the future for UK vehicle production would remain bright. Less attention has been paid to the impact of Brexit and other global developments on continental European vehicle manufacturers.

This review looks at how Brexit and the election of Donald Trump in the US, plus other changes in production geography, could impact vehicle manufacturers’ European operations.