Several global automakers are already suggesting that they will reevaluate their investments in the United Kingdom, now that voters have approved a referendum to leave the European Union.

With the car makers making pessimistic remarks, it's setting of alarms of possible production moves out of the UK.  And that means job losses.  Australia rightly knows that when one goes, others follow and the supply chain comes apart.  Executives have met with, or are planning meetings with UK and European Union officials to clarify their concerns.  They're particularly over tariffs, currency fluctuations and declining sales in a weaker British economy. 

Japan's big three automakers produce half of the cars produced in Britain.  Honda is going forward with tooling up for the new Civic at its Swindon plant.  But Nissan, which openly supporting the "remain" campaign, is declining to comment.  And Toyota senior managing officer Shigeru Hayakawa said, "We will carefully analyze various aspects of the matter, given that there are still many uncertain factors."

Ford - which employs 14,000 in the UK - pledged to "take whatever action is needed to ensure that our European business remains competitive and keeps to the path toward sustainable profitability".  France's PSA Peugeot Citroen is considering raising new-car prices to account for a weaker British pound, which was trading at a 31-year low at this writing.