Nissan guarantees ‘long-term’ future of Sunderland plant

Nissan has confirmed that its Sunderland plant is secure for the long term, saying the Brexit deal has given it a ‘competitive advantage.’

The plant has 6,000 direct employees and supports nearly 70,000 jobs in the supply chain.

Nissan has also said it will move additional battery production to a site near the plant instead of importing batteries from Japan. Manufacturing the more powerful batteries in the UK will ensure its cars comply with trade rules agreed with the EU requiring at least 55% of the car’s value to be derived from either the UK or the EU to qualify for zero tariffs when exported to the EU.

Speaking to the BBC, Nissan’s chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta, said: “The Brexit deal is positive for Nissan. Being the largest automaker in the UK we are taking this opportunity to redefine auto-making in the UK.

“It has created a competitive environment for Sunderland, not just inside the UK but outside as well.

“We’ve decided to localise the manufacture of the 62kWh battery in Sunderland so that all our products qualify [for tariff-free export to the EU]. We are committed to Sunderland for the long term under the business conditions that have been agreed.”