Your say / Airbus
‘So it’s not about Brexit?’
First Airbus, now Honda: “it’s not about Brexit”. Oh but it so is about Brexit. Big corporations don’t like to be seen as political, so they tell fibs we can see through, honourable lies to stop our squabbling, make us face reality.
Both companies carry strong local traditions of engineering excellence: Airbus inherited a century of flying excellence at Filton, while Honda carry Swindon’s Great Western Railway and World War Two aircraft manufacturing traditions, industries that brought us from empire, through two destructive world wars, to a multicultural 21st century. After decades of profitability, with loyal employees and suppliers, Airbus is sort of, er, staying, and Honda is pulling out, so they say.
To stay out of politics and petty argument we all have ways of saying and not saying things. So let’s unwrap this ambivalent thing: Airbus, with plenty of options to expand existing European sites, is not too bothered. They would like to stay with us, but can manage very well without. It is entirely up to the UK to show commitment and stability.
is needed now More than ever
In the midst of Brexit, will Airbus and Honda stay in the UK?
Honda intend to end production of internal combustion powered vehicles in UK by 2022. In light of global trends, that’s reasonable, so let’s accept it.
Do they intend to pull out of UK? No, that’s not a reasonable premise. Despite having facilities in dozen of countries worldwide, they don’t enjoy throwing away good will and profitable assets.
Honda say they will concentrate production of electric vehicles in Japan. Okay, but why not have a European base as well? Plus facilities for battery manufacturing and recycling in line with expected legislation for the connected autonomous vehicles (self driving cars) that are just around the next corner or two? I think this question is wide, wide open.
What else aren’t they saying? Honda want stability and continuity, it’s their corporate brand, we all know that, and that is the key to their message: do not rock the boat.
Their explicit message might read that Honda will pull out if the UK continues to behave stupidly. If, however, UK stays within the EU, Honda UK could develop into a massive modern technology hub. But UK people need to wake. Now.
Honda will not say as much, as they wish to be seen to operate outside politics, so have just treated us to an honourable half truth. They have spoken, and unspoken evidence is there.
They are friends and we can pull together and thrive, or UK is on its own. The choice is ours.
Read more: ‘No deal Brexit scenario directly threatens Airbus’ future in the UK’
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