‘A good place to call home’ for Nissan
Sunderland’s Nissan plant has helped the car giant reach a remarkable landmark.
The firm has announced it has produced 150 million vehicles globally, including more than 9million built on Wearside.
Nissan says the number of vehicles built outside its Japanese homeland has rocketed in recent years, with 76.5% of its first 100million vehicles produced in Japan, but the same percentage of the next 50million built elsewhere, including 13% in Europe.
Production at Nissan’s UK, Spanish and Russian plants has now topped 13million vehicles.
Nissan Europe’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Colin Lawther paid tribute to the Sunderland plant: “This month, Nissan surpassed an important milestone with the proMr duction of our 150 millionth vehicle worldwide,” he said.
“Considering that Sunderland is responsible for producing more than 9million of these vehicles, this milestone would not have happened if not for the dedication and commitment by the team here.”
The Sunderland plant is gearing up for production of new versions of the Qashqai, X-Trail and Leaf: “Production of these important vehicles follows more than £4billion investment in Sunderland since production began in 1986,” said Lawther.
“In the intervening years, we have increased employment more than tenfold and expanded volume from 500 to 500,000 per year.
“As we mark the 150 millionth vehicle, we do so as Freemen of the City of Sunderland. Reflecting our investment over many years, ‘Made in Sunderland’ will continue to be a stamp of quality and reliability. It is a good place to call home.
“And if you want to play a part in making the next 150million cars, check out careersatnissan.co.uk.”