Nissan’s all-new compact car to start life in UK

The government will support the project with a contribution of £6.2 million, taking the whole UK investment to over £55 million.

The innovative new edition to Nissan Motor Co’s (Nissan) range will be designed and built in the UK, with the Sunderland facility manufacturing the car. The announcement will safe-guard hundreds of jobs and is a huge boost to the region.

Sunderland’s success shows what an innovative, talented and highly committed workforce can achieve, and reaffirms the UK’s position as a strong player in the global car industry.”

Gordon Brown

Prime Minister

Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s President and Chief Executive Officer, said the work of employees had proved the plant to be a "globally competitive centre for the production of high-value products.”

Speaking exclusively to UKTI, Trevor Mann, Nissan’s Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Europe added:

“Receiving the grant from the government is not just important for Nissan financially but it also shows the government signalling its support for manufacturing in the UK.”

“The grant made all the difference to us winning the model, which is good news for the plant, its workforce, suppliers and the region,” he concluded.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, commented: "Sunderland’s success shows what an innovative, talented and highly committed workforce can achieve, and reaffirms the UK’s position as a strong player in the global car industry.”

In 2007 the Sunderland plant manufactured a record 374,000 vehicles, with 80 per cent of Nissan's UK output being exported for sale in foreign markets.

The development of a competitive ‘A platform’ car is one of several initiatives announced as part of Nissan’s five year business plan.