Nissan to close factories, but Sunderland is safe
NISSAN HAS CONFIRMED that it will continue to build cars in Sunderland, despite having announced a recovery plan that involves reducing its global production capacity by 20%.
The plan comes not only in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, but also during a year in which Nissan has reported its rst annual operating loss for 11 years and its biggest for two decades.
Although the Japanese brand will close factories in Spain and Indonesia, it appears to have secured the longterm future of its Sunderland factory, which has around 6000 employees and supports 27,000 jobs in the supply chain.
The news will come as a relief to the Government, particularly after Honda’s announcement last year that it will close its Swindon factory in 2021.
Nissan models currently built in Sunderland include the Juke and Qashqai SUVS and the Leaf electric car.
Although not con rmed, recent reports have suggested that Renault, which is allied with Nissan, will bring production of its Captur and Kadjar models to the Sunderland factory.
In addition to reducing production capacity, Nissan’s recovery plan is to focus on “globally competitive models”– speci cally, family SUVS, large SUVS, electric cars and sports cars.the latter category includes a successor to today’s 370Z, to be named 400Z. Details are still scarce, but power will come from a twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V6.
Vaughtons, maker of the badges that adorn every Aston Martin, has launched an NHS Rainbow Badge to raise money for NHS Charities Together. The NHS pin badges are handmade using traditional methods, with tooling that has been in use since the company was first established in 1819. The bright rainbow-coloured enamel finish is applied by hand.
The badges are available with gold or nickel plating from vaughtons.com for £9.99. Sterling silver and nine-carat gold will be offered later.