Motoring giant Ford has insisted Brexit is not behind its plan to close a manufacturing plant in Wales - a closure which will lead to around 1,700 job losses.
The company today confirmed it intends to shut its Bridgend engine plant in south Wales.
It will begin the process of closing the factory next February, when a 1.5 litre engine model will stop being produced at the plant.
Operations are expected to cease entirely in September 2020.
The closure will cost the US company around $650 million (€575 million) - with a significant of the $400 million (€350 million) cash 'special item charges' earmarked for termination payments for employees.
Ford is citing factors such as the "significant underutilisation" of the plant, and high costs compared to other manufacturing facilities.
"Economically unsustainable"
Speaking to reporters, Stuart Rowley - president of Ford Europe - said: "This action has nothing to do with Brexit.
"The simple way to think of that is, if Brexit had never happened, would there be a different decision? The answer to that is no.
"We are committed to the UK. However, changing customer demand and cost disadvantages, plus an absence of additional engine models for Bridgend going forward make the plant economically unsustainable in the years ahead."
He added: "As a major employer in the UK for more than a century, we know that closing Bridgend would be difficult for many of our employees.
"We recognise the effects it would have on their families and the communities where they live.
"As a responsible employer, we are proposing a plan that would help to ease the impact."
Ford has insisted it remains committed to its other operations in Britain, including another engine plant in east London.
A number of major car and vehicle manufacturers have recently announced plans to reduce operations in the UK.
In February, Honda confirmed that it will close its factory in Swindon with the loss of 3,500 jobs.
The Japanese car-maker said it will close the plant by 2021.
