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.
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