Nissan to build new vehicle in Britain
Car giant Nissan announced today it will build a new model at its British plant, safeguarding thousands of jobs.
The plant in Sunderland, one of the world’s most productive, will work on an as-yet unnamed, smaller multi-person vehicle.
Around 1,000 employees will work on the compact 5-door hatchback, including up to 200 new jobs, although this figure could change depending on market conditions closer to 2006.
Nissan expected to be building around 100,000 units a year alongside the Micra, Almera, Primera and Micra C+C – due for production launch next September.
Speaking at the Paris Motor Show, Nissan Executive Vice President Patrick Pelata said the car, based on the "Tone" concept he was unveiling, would be produced on Wearside from January 2006.
He said: “The Tone represents our thinking in the area of the mini MPV market. The niche market where Tone would compete is forecast to grow by a factor of four from 2002 to 2007.
“I am happy to announce that we will introduce a car based on this design at the beginning of 2006.”
Nissan’s operations in Sunderland began in 1984, with the first vehicle, the Bluebird, coming off the production line in 1986.
