US carmaker Ford has said it will do whatever is necessary to increase profits after blaming the rise in the pound for about two - thirds of a $ 971 m profits reduction in its European operations in 2017 . Ford 's warning is seen as a threat to reduce its operations in the UK . The company ’s annual report said economic growth in the UK had diminished since the referendum . Along with other companies , Ford is concerned that Brexit will end free trade between the UK and EU , which allows components and finished cars to cross borders cheaply and without long border checks .
US carmaker Ford has said it will do whatever is necessary to protect profits after blaming the fall in the pound for about two-thirds of a $971m profits reduction in its European operations in 2017. Ford's warning is seen as a threat to reduce its operations in the UK. The company’s annual report said economic confidence in the UK had diminished since the referendum. Along with other carmakers, Ford is concerned that Brexit will end frictionless trade between the UK and EU, which allows components and finished cars to cross borders cheaply and without long border checks.