The government's next fleet of ministerial vehicles will be made in Germany due to supply chain issues exacerbated by Brexit.
The Independent reports that the Metropolitan Police will be axing the armoured Jaguar XJs in exchange for Audi A8s - built in the German state of Baden-Württemberg - because no British car maker is “able to meet the requirements of the tender”.
Jaguar has manufactured British government ministerial cars for more than 30 years but its plants have had to halt production at various times over recent years due to difficulty obtaining parts.
“Twelve years of Tory instability and uncertainty has left our car industry suffering,” said Jonathan Reynolds, Labour’s shadow business secretary.
“UK car manufacturing output is less than half the level it was six years ago – a truly harrowing situation for a hard-working industry which deserves better."
The issues surrounding the sourcing of suitable car parts from the UK were uncovered in a written response to a question from the London Assembly, which scrutinises the Metropolitan Police Authority.
In a statement, the Met said: “All Metropolitan Police Service contracts are subject to public procurement regulations, with considerations given to safety requirements as well as cost and vehicle availability.
“For this tender specifically, at the time of tender, there was no UK original equipment manufacturer able to meet the requirements of the tender, or producing a similar specification of vehicle, therefore no bid was made by any UK manufacture for the contract.”
While the armoured vehicles used to transport Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and senior ministers will now be made outside Britain, the government said its regular car service will continue to use UK-based manufacturers.
A spokesperson for the government’s department of business, energy and industrial strategy said they were "working to ensure the UK remains one of the best locations in the world for automotive manufacturing" but did not comment on the Met's choice of vehicles.
Car production in the UK has fallen by over a million cars per year since 2016, from 1.7 million to just 786,000, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Production has increased very slightly in recent months.
Mr Reynolds added that Labour has a "long-term plan to revive Britain's car industry" and said it was essential to "buy, make, and sell more in Britain”.
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