The UK 's automotive industry received just £ 90 m ( $ 110 m ) in investment in the first half of 2019 , according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders ( SM ) , which described the figure as pitiful . This compares to annual investments of £ ##500 to £ 2.7bn in R&D before 2018 's EU referendum . If not, it would be looking for support from the government if it was to safeguard jobs. SMMT called for an orderly Brexit , saying the industry had spent £ 330 m on no - deal contingency planning , investing in IT systems , regulatory work , warehousing , stockpiling and insuring extra jobs . The industry has previously said a no - deal could cost the sector over 100,000 jobs and that automotive firms should look for government support .
The UK 's automotive industry received just £ 90 m ( $ 110 m ) in investment in the first half of 2019 , according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders ( SM ) , which described the figure as pitiful . This compares to annual investments of £ ##500 to £ 2.7bn in R&D before 2018 's EU referendum . SMMT called for an orderly Brexit , saying the industry had spent £ 330 m on no - deal contingency planning , investing in IT systems , regulatory work , warehousing , stockpiling and insuring extra jobs . The industry has previously said a no - deal could cost the sector over 100,000 jobs and that automotive firms should look for government support .