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British automakers take costly precautions as Brexit 'no deal' fears grow

LONDON — Carmakers in Britain have triggered some Brexit contingency plans, such as certifying models in the EU, and are working on redrawing production schedules and stockpiling more parts to defend against any loss of unfettered trade after Brexit. The moves are aimed at ensuring plants, which rely on the just-in-time delivery of tens of thousands of components, can keep operating after Brexit on March 29, but will add costs and bureaucracy which could risk their long-term viability. London and Brussels hope to agree a deal by the end of the year to avoid tariffs and trade barriers, but Prime Minister Theresa May's proposals have been criticized by both Brexiteers, who want a cleaner break from the bloc, and the European Union. McLaren Automotive is looking at having its cars certified by both a British and an EU agency to smooth sales. It is also planning to stockpile critical components and change shipments into the EU around Brexit if there is disruption. "I will sell a little more in January and February and plan to pick the volume up in May and give us a leaner period through the change point," Chief Executive Mike Flewitt told Reuters. BMW, which said last week it would move the annual summer-time shutdown of its British Mini plant next year to April, is looking for lorry parking areas and warehousing on both sides of the channel and is seeking to sign contracts to lease certain locations, a spokesman said. It is also investing in IT systems to handle any new red tape as carmakers estimate tens of thousands of new documents could be needed if tariffs and customs are imposed. The German carmaker's Brexit plans are costing millions of pounds, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters. But Honda, which builds 10 percent of Britain's 1.67 million cars at its Swindon plant in southern England, is not in the market to buy "huge amounts of warehousing space," its Europe boss Ian Howells told Reuters. "It's been a very precise calculation or estimation of what components need to be brought in," he said, adding the firm could also alter its output to sell more into the EU at the start of next year. Waste of money? Many British carmakers have also asked suppliers to look into how they would handle delays at ports, executives told Reuters, as thousands of parts, engines and finished models move between Britain and the continent every day.

New Seat Le'on brings all-new design, more tech and "Enjoyneering" [w/video]

Not long after the Seat Toledo got its public groove on, the Seat León is here to say hello from all angles. This is the third generation of the little Spanish hatchback, and while its overall form copies its predecessor, its details prove it to be a brand-new car.
Built on the MQB platform spreading like kudzu throughout the Volkswagen empire, the new Leon is nearly 200 pounds lighter than previously and five centimeters shorter, but the front axle has been moved forward making the wheelbase around 2.3-inches longer. More interior space and luggage room is the benefit compared to the last-generation hatch.
The body has been completely redesigned with heaps more sculpting throughout and giveaways like the polygonal headlights - available in full LED - plus wedge taillights, shorter overhangs and redesigned Seat logo front and back giving away the new model.

McLaren going all-hybrid within ten years

There's a lot that's ground-breaking in the McLaren P1, not the least of it being its mind-bending performance. But so is its hybrid powertain. Aside from its Formula One racers, the P1 is the first hybrid McLaren ever made. But it won't be the last. Speaking with CEO Mike Flewitt, Edmunds reports that McLaren won't reserve its hybrid technology just for its flagship hypercar, but will integrate electric propulsion into every one of its models within ten years' time. In fact, it may even do a fully electric car as well. Of course that's a long-term vision for a company that's only been in operation (at least in its current form) for about five years. In that time it has launched the 12C, the P1 and the 650S. Soon it will add a new "entry-level" model internally known as P13, tipped to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next March, that will be more accessible in terms of price and performance. And it will – sometime within the next ten years – succeed the P1 with a P15 that will cost about half of the six-figure P1. Just what it has in mind for P14, however, remains a big question mark. Featured Gallery McLaren P1 News Source: Edmunds McLaren Hybrid Performance mclaren p13 mclaren p15