Nissan has today committed to its car manufacturing operation in the UK, announcing that the next-generation Qashqai and X-Trail models will be built at its Sunderland factory.
Over 7,000 workers are currently employed at the plant, with a further 28,000 British automotive supply chain jobs reliant on the factory, and today’s news will be cause for celebration after recent uncertainty regarding the factory’s post-Brexit future. Nissan will now increase its investment in Sunderland, securing and sustaining their jobs for the foreseeable future.
The factory currently builds Nissan Qashqai, Note, Juke and Leaf models. The plant opened in 1986 and has produced almost nine million cars since. One in three British cars are produced in Sunderland, which is the UK’s largest car plant of all time. In addition, 80% of production from Sunderland is exported to more than 130 markets.
The brand’s decision follows “a commitment from the UK government to ensure the Sunderland plant remains competitive”. The exact nature of this government commitment has not been disclosed by either Nissan or Downing Street.
“I am pleased to announce that Nissan will continue to invest in Sunderland. Our employees there continue to make the plant a globally competitive powerhouse, producing high-quality, high-value products every day,” said Carlos Ghosn, Chairman and CEO of Nissan.
“The support and assurances of the UK government enabled us to decide that the next-generation Qashqai and X-Trail will be produced at Sunderland. I welcome British Prime Minister Theresa May’s commitment to the automotive industry in Britain and to the development of an overall industrial strategy.”
