For immediate release
6 January 1999
RECORD PRODUCTION FOR NISSAN IN SUNDERLAND
Workers at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, Europe’s most productive, built a record number of vehicles in 1998. By the end of the year 288,838 Micras, Primeras and Primera estates had been manufactured and distributed to around 50 markets worldwide.
Overall the plant built 6.3 per cent more cars than in 1997, when production reached 271,784. The record year resulted from strong European demand for Sunderland-built vehicles following the introduction of a New Primera estate car and a newly styled version of the Micra.
During 1999 the company will complete its preparations for the introduction of a third model, the Almera replacement, including facility installations and all the production trials. Production of the new car will start in January 2000.
John Cushnaghan who is responsible for Nissan’s manufacturing operations in Sunderland said: “1998 was an excellent year for our Wearside plant. By working together to continuously improve the way the plant is operated, from the buying of component parts to the assembly of the finished vehicle, the workforce has broken previous production records through greater efficiency and productivity.”
Last year Nissan in Sunderland also reached the milestone of producing its two millionth vehicle, a significant achievement for any car plant in only 12 years of production.
Some 5,400 people are employed directly by Nissan in the UK. The company’s operations include vehicle styling, manufacturing, distribution and sales, industrial machinery and finance.
ends...
For further information please contact:
Lesley Alder 0191 419 3300
Stewart McKee 01923 899 930
Editor’s note:
Annual production volumes
Year Total
1986 5,139
1987 28,797
1988 56,744
1989 76,991
1990 76,239
1991 124,664
1992 179,055
1993 246,285
1994 205,195
1995 215,346
1996 231,627
1997 271,784
1998 288,838
24080/060199