NISSAN ALMERA’S STEEL IS HARD TO BEAT

The bodywork on the new Sunderland-built Nissan Almera is stronger, stiffer and lighter thanks to the introduction of new materials and state-of-the-art laser welding techniques which are being used for the first time on the new Almera.

The laser welding process allows different gauges of steel to be joined by a continuous, high quality automatic weld, with no overlapping of panels or hard-to conceal joints and no need for additional reinforcement brackets.

The laser welding makes it possible to concentrate the heavy high tensile steel in areas where more strength is needed, while at the same time avoiding unnecessary weight in other areas, to the benefit of performance, fuel consumption and emissions.

‘Bake hardened’ steel has also been introduced on the new Almera’s bonnet, wings and doors, to provide more resistance to denting and stone chipping. ‘Bake hardened’ steel differs from conventional high strength steel in that it can be effectively pressed to create a clean surface area. After it has been shaped, the steel hardens during the heating effect of the painting process.

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Nissan Almera’s steel is hard to beat … 2

Nissan’s award winning Sunderland plant has taken on 800 new recruits for the production of its new Almera, which began in January. It is being built alongside the Micra and Primera models. Some 5,200 people are employed directly by Nissan in the north east.

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For further information, please contact:

Lesley Benfield, Corporate Affairs Press Officer 0191 419 3300

Email: lesley.benfield@nissan-nmuk.co.uk

Frank Shepherd, Corporate Affairs Administrator 01923 899935

Email: frank.shepherd@nissan.co.uk