Carmakers are delaying final decisions to invest in UK factories until electric car sales rules are relaxed, according to the head of the British car industry’s lobby group. View image in fullscreen The business secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has indicated that the mandate is likely to be watered down. Calls for the rules to be eased have come as the British car industry struggles with competition from China, US tariffs and the extra costs of investment in electric technology. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The GuardianThere are other factors that could affect carmakers’ investment decisions, including Britain’s trading relationship with the EU. The European car industry has called for the UK and other nearby countries such as Morocco and Turkey to be included in the subsidies.