Vehicles: Purchase Price and Running Costs Debate
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Lord Hunt of Kings Heath
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Vehicles: Purchase Price and Running Costs
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath Excerpts(2 years, 1 month ago)
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Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con)
I do not think it is a loss of confidence in the strategy. The Government’s intention is that the UK remains at the forefront of EV manufacture, innovation and batteries; that is why we have the Faraday fund and the automotive transformation fund. All these elements are really important, but I accept that some companies will come into the market, and some will leave. There will be some flux, but at the moment, we are not concerned.
Lord Hunt of Kings Heath (Lab)
My Lords, that sounds like a very laissez-faire attitude. What discussions have the Government had with BMW about this very unfortunate decision?
Baroness Vere of Norbiton (Con)
As far as I am aware, the Department for Transport has not had any discussions with BMW about this very unfortunate decision. However, I will inquire with colleagues in BEIS as to whether they have. But, as I say, there are always changes within any particular manufacturing sector. None of us wants the Mini to be produced in China and it may well be that other models come back to the UK.