Shadow business secretary, Andrew Griffith MP, blamed government regulation designed to shift consumers away from petrol and diesel for the sector’s decline.
“British car makers have been undermined by a foolish ban on internal combustion engines, which has removed natural customer choice and sucked in imported EVs,” he said.
Reform’s Robert Jenrick said British car makers didn’t stand a chance against “unfair Chinese competition”.
“If Beijing continues to cheat, Reform UK will introduce tariffs and quotas to protect jobs across the country,” he said.
The EU and the US have imposed tariffs on Chinese imports. The rapid rise in Chinese imports to the UK has been partly down to the UK’s decision not to follow suit. In response, Chinese companies have invested in dealer networks and marketing across the UK, accelerating the rise in sales.
Other G7 allies such as Canada have done something similar. There, prime minister Mark Carney rowed back the extra tariff on some Chinese electric vehicles. Spain embraced Chinese leadership in EV manufacturing, and has attracted major factory investments.
“The British car market has always been very open,” says Mike Hawes, boss of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and Chinese firms are moving quickly, he points out. But China’s success is also because they are offering drivers something they want, he says.
“At the end of the day, the consumer is right. They are offering attractive products at very competitive prices, good tech and good build quality.”
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