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Dieter Zetsche writes open letter regarding Brexit to United Kingdom

Dieter Zetsche writes open letter regarding Brexit to United Kingdom

22-01-2019 16:54
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Chairman of the Mercedes Daimler AG board Dieter Zetsche has published an open letter to The Times in which he expresses his wish for the country to remain in the European Union, although he does admit the choice is up to the British people.

Although they're German, Mercedes' F1 project is mainly based in Great Britain. The factory and headquarters are in Brackley, while the 'Power Unit Centre' (where the engine components get crafted) is just down the road in Brixworth.

With the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union, things could get tricky in the future for Mercedes, which is why Zetsche decided to pen a letter to The Times via Mercedes AMG.

“Without your great nation, this continent would not be, what it is today – a community defined by freedom and prosperity. After the horrors of the Second World War, you did not give up on us. You have welcomed Germany back as a sovereign nation and a European power. This we, as Germans, have not forgotten and we are grateful!

"Because we realise that the freedom we enjoy as Europeans today, has in many ways been built and defended by you the British people, we want you to know: We respect your choice. It is yours not ours. And should you wish to leave the European Union for good, you will always have friends in Germany and Europe. But you should equally know that we believe that no choice is irreversible. Our door will always remain open – no matter what! Europe is home.

"You have become part of who we are as Europeans. And therefore we would miss you. We would miss your legendary black humour and going to the pub after work hours to drink an ale. We would miss tea with milk and driving on the left side of the road. And we would miss seeing the panto at Christmas. There are many more things we would miss without you. But more than anything else, we would miss you the British people – our friends across the Channel! We would miss you as part of the European Union, especially in these troubled times.

"Therefore you should know: From the bottom of our hearts, we want you to stay!

"With love your friends from Germany

"#wewantyoutostay”