EU referendum, brexit and the aftermath

they should've blamed it on brexit anyway

Honda's said it has nothing to do with Brexit and they don't have any reason to lie about that.

Most companies will try to steer clear of politics if they can. They have nothing to win by stating it had to do with Brexit, on the contrary it increases the likelihood some people might perceive their brand negatively. Saying 'it had nothing to do with Brexit it's just global market stuff' on the other hand is basically the safe way out.

Honda's said it has nothing to do with Brexit and they don't have any reason to lie about that.

I'd suggest that's a point of diplomacy rather than a reflection of the truth. It's implausible to suggest that all these other Japanese manufacturing and financial institutions leaving at the same time has nothing to do with Brexit.

You really believe that? Do you think Honda aren't concerned about not having access to the EU/Japan FTA? I would have thought that a car company would very much prefer to export cars without tariffs.

Today's press release is framed with more diplomacy than you might realise. The Brexiteer MP in Swindon yesterday claimed that Honda had told him that fear of losing access to the FTA was part of their decision, but he then deleted his comments saying this. The local press also reported this and then modified their article after a couple of hours.

The online response to the comment was pretty controversial and I think Honda realised.

How could it not be?
How could they not have reason to lie?

Honda's said it has nothing to do with Brexit and they don't have any reason to lie about that.

They have every reason to soften the truth about it.

First of all Honda is a Japanese company. Don't know how much you're a Japan nerd but it's a culture where face is very important. They're not the sort of culture where they'd openly say HEY YOU GUYS SHIT THE BED AND NOW WE'RE OFF THANKS FOR THE MONEY THOUGH, they'll do it politely.

Second, Brexit is an emotive issue, and a significant number of their customers will be RABIDLY in favour of it. Any ref to Brexit when they leave and you're talking boycotts. FOREIGN BASTARDS FUCK OFF AND LEAVE US IN THE SCHTUCK, BLAME BREXIT ON WAY OUT, SHITBAGS type biz. It's bad business to reference Brexit.

Third, they don't owe us anything - they don't owe us the truth, and they don't owe us an intervention. It's much simpler and much easier and much less drama to say 'oh it's nothign to do with Brexit, you boys head on with yourselves, we're off with all the other car places that just so happen to be shutting down for matters unrelated to Brexit, fucks sake'.