FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
14 January 1999
NISSAN PLANT IS UK’S BIGGEST CAR MAKER
Nissan’s Sunderland car plant is now the biggest in the UK. Following a record production year in 1998, Nissan has overtaken Rover’s Longbridge plant to take top spot.
Nissan’s achievement is the first time a Japanese manufacturer has been number one. Rover or Ford plants have traditionally held the top position.
Last year Nissan made 288,838 cars, 6.3 per cent more than its previous record set in 1997. Around 75 per cent of the company’s total output was exported to nearly 50 markets worldwide with European demand particularly strong for Nissan’s new look Micra and New Primera estate.
John Cushnaghan, managing director, Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) said: “We are delighted to be the UK’s largest car plant, it’s a tremendous achievement we are all very proud of. The plant has another very exciting year ahead with final preparations taking place for the introduction of a third model, the Almera successor, in January 2000.”
Not only is the Sunderland plant the biggest car maker but its workforce is also the most productive in Europe, according to a detailed study carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit.
In December 1998, Nissan in Sunderland reached the milestone of producing its two millionth vehicle, a significant achievement for any car plant in only 12 years of production.
Over 4,200 people are employed directly by Nissan in the north east where the company’s operations include manufacturing, vehicle testing and distribution.
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