An all-new hatchback model to be manufactured at Nissan’s Sunderland plant from 2014 will contribute to the creation of more than 3,000 jobs. It follows the company’s announcement at last month’s Geneva Motor Show that it will manufacture another all-new B-segment vehicle, INVITATION, from next year.
- Nissan makes major £127m investment in its Sunderland plant.
- Project secures £8.2m from the government’s Regional Growth Fund.
- Annual production set to reach half a million units.
The new medium hatchback confirmed for production today will create an additional 225 jobs at Nissan and 900 at component companies supplying Nissan in the UK. Alongside production of the INVITATION scheduled for next year, the announcement creates more than 3,000 new jobs – 625 at Nissan, the remainder across the UK automotive supply chain.
Manufacturing capacity for the new model will be around 80,000 units each year and will require an extra shift to be created at the Sunderland plant. Both production lines will operate ‘around the clock’ for the first time in the facility’s 26-year history.
Investment in recent years at the Sunderland plant now exceeds £900m, and includes the introduction of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF in 2013, the Juke launch, the construction of a battery plant and the replacement Qashqai crossover.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive, SMMT, said, “Nissan’s investment in Sunderland is great news for the industry and the broader economy. Nissan’s commitment to the UK demonstrates the growing strength and global competitiveness of our sector and with new jobs being created at the plant and in the supply chain it shows the broader economic impact of today’s news. Manufacturing is at the heart of the recovery and with long term investments being made throughout the automotive sector, it will play an increasingly important role in the UK economy.”
Nissan Chief Operating Officer, Toshiyuki Shiga, said, “In Europe Nissan has achieved record growth in recent years by providing innovative, customer-focused models like Qashqai and Juke,” he continued, “I would also like to thank the UK government for its strong and sustained support which allows us to make significant investment in our Sunderland plant.”
Prime Minister, David Cameron, who made the announcement with Toshiyuki Shiga during a visit to Japan, commented, “It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building their new hatchback model in the UK. It’s proof of the strength and vitality of the British manufacturing industry.”
More details of the new model, including naming, pricing, engine line-up and equipment levels will be released in the course of the new model’s launch programme.
