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Brexit could cost auto industry €10-11 billion - BMW

BMW warns that Brexit could cost carmakers and suppliers up to €11 billion unless cross-border trade remains tariff-free and unbureaucratic
BMW warns that Brexit could cost carmakers and suppliers up to €11 billion unless cross-border trade remains tariff-free and unbureaucratic

BMW's chief financial officer Nicolas Peter said that Britain's separation from the European Union could cost carmakers and suppliers up to €11 billion unless cross-border trade remains tariff-free and unbureaucratic. 

BMW has spent a low double-digit million euro amount this year to prepare for Brexit, Peter told journalists during a virtual roundtable discussion today. 

"The auto industry association ACEA has estimated that it could cost carmakers and suppliers €10-11 billion," Peter said. 

"We need tariff-free trade. And even then, it needs to be seamless. We have a just-in-time manufacturing system so the administrative processing at customs needs to be efficient," he added. 

Furthermore Britain should continue to keep pace with European Union emissions requirements so that carmakers can offer the same cars in all European markets, Peter said. 

Strong demand for electric and hybrid cars has helped BMW stay ahead of projected fleet emissions reduction targets for 2020, Peter said.