Nissan will produce the next Qashqai and add production of the next X-Trail model at its plant in Sunderland.
According to Nissan, the decision follows the UK government’s commitment to ensure that the Sunderland plant remains competitive. Consequently, Nissan will increase its investment in Sunderland, securing and sustaining the jobs of more than 7,000 workers at the plant.
Commenting on today’s announcement, prime minister Theresa May said: “This is fantastic news for the UK. Nissan is at the heart of this country’s strong automotive industry and so I welcome their decision to produce the Qashqai and a new model at their Sunderland plant.
“It is a recognition that the government is committed to creating and supporting the right conditions for the automotive industry so it continues to grow – now and in the future. This vote of confidence shows Britain is open for business and that we remain an outward-looking, world-leading nation.”
Carlos Ghosn, chairman and CEO of Nissan added: “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.”
Nissan’s Sunderland plant opened in 1986 and has produced almost nine million cars since. Over two million Qashqai’s have been built in Sunderland in under a decade.
I genuinely hope that this news spurs on other foreign companies to maintain (or even begin) their presence in the UK. Doom-laden stories of an investor exodus help no-one and the hand-wringing lefties who want us to be no more than a province of the EU should stop belittling this country or emigrate to Greece. Sheffield Forgemasters have an important American contract, Nissan are staying in Sunderland… the UK still has its place in manufacturing and engineering.
Hear hear!