Member Article

Nissan to build new model in Sunderland

Nissan are set to start production of the new Infiniti compact car at their Sunderland plant, creating around 1,000 jobs.

The decision to produce the premium compact in Sunderland will stimulate £250m investment and is expected to create jobs across the supply chain in the UK.

Nissan executive Vice President and chief performance officer, Colin Dodge CBE said it was a “milestone’ for the company.

Infiniti will be the first new car to be manufactured on such a scale in the UK for 23 years.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “This investment is excellent news for the North East and another vote of confidence for UK manufacturing.

“The continued success of Nissan in the UK demonstrates the strength of the car industry here, and its importance, as we rebalance and grow the economy.

“This announcement shows how the car industry in partnership with the Government continues to win important long term investment projects, in a tough competitive sector; helping the UK to get ahead in the global race.”

Sarah Green, regional director of CBI North East, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates the importance of the Sunderland plant to Nissan globally as it will become the only place in the world to produce this premium compact car.

“Furthermore, it demonstrates the role Nissan Sunderland plays in the UK automotive industry as Infiniti will become the first new car brand to be manufactured to scale in the UK in almost a quarter of a century.

“The North East should celebrate the fantastic contribution of the Nissan local management team and the workforce at the plant in securing another £250m investment for Sunderland and a further 1,000 British manufacturing jobs.”

NECC Chief Executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “It has been an incredible year for Nissan. I would like to congratulate the company and its dedicated workforce on another major coup for the Wearside plant.

“The unparalleled performance of the workforce, demonstrated by the news that the plant has produced 500,000 units annually for the first time, can only have served to convince Nissan’s senior management that Sunderland is the perfect place to oversee production of the Infiniti and this exciting £250m investment.

“This is great news for the UK automotive sector as it brings 1,000 new jobs, the region’s economy and Nissan’s North East supply chain. The importance of Nissan to the regional economy cannot be overstated. For every person employed by the company around four are supported in Nissan’s supply chain and with employment at the plant reaching record levels in 2012, this is another welcome achievement.

“Today’s announcement, coupled with securing new compact vehicle “Invitation” earlier in the year, the plant launching Nissan’s first lithium-ion battery production facility outside Japan and the Nissan LEAF production secured in 2013, the future looks incredibly exciting for the company.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .