Nissan to build new models in Sunderland Nissan has confirmed it will build the new Qashqai model - as well as the X-Trail SUV - at its Sunderland plant in the first major decision for the car industry since the Brexit vote. The decision will secure 7,000 jobs, with the possibility of more to be created, following "support and assurances from the UK government". Building the X-Trail is an unexpected addition to the Sunderland line-up. The Nissan plant is Britain's biggest and made 475,000 vehicles last year. Chief executive Carlos Ghosn said last month that Nissan may not invest in the Sunderland plant unless the government guaranteed compensation for costs related to any new trade tariffs resulting from Brexit. The Sunderland plant built almost one in three cars made in Britain last year, 80% of which were exported. Production of the next Qashqai model is expected to begin in 2018 or 2019. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37787890
Very good news for your region. Maybe the Brexit doom mongers can take a little comfort from this, that the world is not on the brink of collapse.
I see so much investment being made down South and it depresses me to see little to no investment being made in the North East especially in Sunderland. Having seen the devastation caused in the 1980's to vibrant local communities with the closure of the main industries in the area, keeping Nissan in Sunderland is key to ensuring good skilled jobs and future prospects for the region.
Fantastic news for the city!!! Still never understood why they have never sponsored us, very bizarre.
Great news but I wonder what grant he negotiated off the Govt AGAIN. They had obviously already made their minds up regardless of the vote to build them here. Still delighted not only for the Nissan staff but all of the suppliers.
Or maybe the Tory lot dare not let this firm leave the region because if they do the blame is surely theirs.
Maybe. Or Maybe if Nissan take their plant to Latvia they won't be able to charge £20k for a piece of crap like a Qashqai. British labour has a reputation money can't buy, especially in the car industry.
Rumor is they were ready to pull the plug unless the gov agreed to their terms of assurances in writing. Sound like they gov hand their hands forced. Such an announcement of them pulling would have sent the pound plummeting further and cause quite a bit of panic. Something the government could ill afford. Don't doubt that nissan wants to stay in Sunderland though. It's got a fine reputation. A work force Nissan are proud of so hopefully that was enough to help the government get a good deal as something tells me they're going to have to try and generate some more poke to keep industry here.
The Renault/Nissan alliance will have screwed a huge deal out of the British Government otherwise they would have just up and off to somewhere in the EU.
Slightly different version of events according to the radio this morning. Sounds like Nissan's ring piece twitched a bit following what their European head guy (Ghosn?) had said pre-Brexit and there were frantic calls between the north east and Japan. It also sounds like the gov't panicked as well and has offered guarantees to Nissan that other multi-nationals will now come looking for. Hardly sounds like a firm hand on the tiller on either side. People need to just calm down and see how the first round of brexit negotiations go before they start running to the press. There are deals to be done in Europe and no one really wants to cut off their own noses just to make a point. They all have an electorate to report back to. All this posturing is just pathetic. Chuffed for Sunderland though. Two new cars in the pipeline!!! Great news!!!
The most efficient car plant in the world - no way would the Japs eyes have moved it. They've played some cards & got some more freebies. Still, great news for the north east.
I wouldn't be surprised if they used Brexit as a bargaining tool to get exactly what they wanted. Regardless, it's great news for the local area.
It's horse ****, the Japs still make some of the Nissans, their economy is ****ing awful, I think they have 230% debt to GDP ratio or something. They were never moving them, it's just been a big bluff, originally to get people to vote remain.
If they did get a government subsidy to stay it will be a drop in the pond compared to the money sunk in to the banking industry
