Nissan’s Sunderland plant to deliver next Qashqai
The new Qashqai will be designed and built on British soil, Nissan has announced.
Carlos Ghosn, President and CEO of Nissan Motor Co, made the announcement during a meeting with PM David Cameron at Downing Street earlier today.
It means around 6,000 UK jobs will be safeguarded with Nissan investing £192 million into the development of the next generation Qashqai.
The new model will be produced at the manufacturer’s Sunderland plant – the “home of the Qashqai”, according to Mr Ghosn.
“The UK has been a cornerstone of Nissan manufacturing since 1986, with the Sunderland plant setting important benchmarks for quality and efficiency in Europe and around the world,” he said.
“The Qashqai is one of Nissan’s biggest product successes and as Nissan’s leadership in sustainable transportation grows, the plant will become one of the pillars of our zero-emission manufacturing.”
Nissan’s Sunderland plant will be subject to £420m of investment to ensure the production of the LEAF, set to begin in 2013.
Success story
Prime Minister David Cameron hailed it a great day for UK manufacturing.
“This investment from Nissan is fantastic news and a great demonstration of the strength and vitality of the UK car industry,” he said.
“That future manufacturing and R&D has been secured is a tribute to the skill, expertise and hard work of Nissan’s UK workforce.
“It is vital that we have a strong manufacturing base to rebalance our economy and secure sustainable economic growth and it is this Government’s determination that we do all we can to enable businesses to invest, to grow and create jobs.”
Business Secretary Vince Cable added: “Today’s announcement is welcome news that brings further long-term investment in what is already the UK’s biggest car production plant.
“Nissan’s Sunderland plant is one of the great success stories of British manufacturing. Development of the Qashqai and other new models will reinforce that.”
Around 1,200 Qashqais roll out of Nissan’s Sunderland plant every day and it is in line to deliver its one millionth Qashqai later this month.
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