Boats, bankers and borders: five symbols that sum up Brexit a decade on

Brexit’s anniversary is examined through five symbols that illuminate its long shadow on Britain’s auto sector. The 2016 referendum split 52% to 48% in favor of leaving, with the UK leaving the single market and customs union on January 1, 2021. Nissan’s Sunderland plant epitomizes the tension: 507,000 cars were built there in 2016, but output fell to 273,000 last year amid Brexit uncertainty and other shocks. State aid worth £61 million in 2016 and a further £101 million in late 2022 supported investment, even as non-tariff barriers emerged post-2021. A potential deal with China’s Chery could revive Sunderland’s fortunes, preserving jobs while others anticipate broader European manufacturing shifts.