Protests in Spain over UK car win
NISSAN confirmed its factory in Sunderland will become the new heart of its European operation.
After years of uncertainty the Japanese car giant said the plant – which employs 6,000 and has 30,000 more in its supply chain – was integral to its future.
But Spanish workers reacted by burning tyres in a factory blockade after the company said its Barcelona factory would close with the loss of 3,000 jobs.
Renault production is likely to be moved to Sunderland to boost efficiency.
Stephen Ma, Nissan chief finance officer, said: “In western Europe, we will maintain production of core models in Sunderland.”
The UK factory is the biggest car-making facility in the UK.
The news will be welcomed by British motorists following the news that 10 per cent import tariffs will be introduced for new cars built in Europe and shipped to the UK from 2021. Bosses will now focus on reducing costs and putting emphasis on electric vehicles, SUVs and crossovers after £5billion losses for 2019 amid plummeting car sales.
Nissan’s chief executive Makoto Uchida said the brand will slash global production and the number of models by 20 per cent by 2023.