From that Autocar article.

“If a government creates a situation that destroys the business model, by saying ‘we’re going to ban the sale of that type of car’, we’re going to stop investing,” said [Carlos] Tavares"

That is a crystal clear warning to the uk government that "green" virtue signalling policies have consequences.

Or can we see it as a way to get some cash from the government to invest in the plant so they don't have to put hands in their own pockets?

All manufactuerers are going down the electrci route now and there will be less and less need for fcatories building ICE's so there is a lot of investment needed and I am sure theyw ill be very happy to push governments to pay up/do some deals rather than having to invest all the money themselves.

Also now they have merges with Fiat/Chrysler there will be some places they won't need and will be closed so if they have a friendly government then they are more likley to stay there.

Carlos Tavares is not in the habit of "outbursts".

He is a car enthusiast through and through, he is successful and knows what he is talking about, so I see this statement of his as an ice-cold warning rather than an outstretched hand containing a begging bowl.

Good on him - I'm glad somebody of his calibre has come out with it - it needed saying.

I await the UK government's reply if any, with interest.