Wednesday, 04 Jan 2012
“2011 saw the UK attract a remarkable level of investment, with global vehicle manufacturers committing in excess of £4 billion to plants and facilities securing future model production and employment.”
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the SMMT
Car assembly © Monty Rakusen / Cultura Getty
Nissan plant celebrates record year
The Nissan plant in Sunderland has once again emphasised its importance to UK vehicle manufacturing by building 480,485 vehicles last year.
This smashed the previous 12-month record of 423,262, which was set in 2010 when it became the first British plant to exceed 400,000, and is further evidence of an upturn in fortunes for the motor industry.
Nissan's UK Manufacturing Vice President Kevin Fitzpatrick said: "Our 25th anniversary year will go down in UK car production history and all our staff can be proud of the many milestones we have passed.
"Our 26th year promises to be equally exciting, as we launch the new battery plant at Sunderland and prepare the plant for production of the 100% Nissan Leaf alongside the Qashqai, Juke and Note."
Last year's production figures were the first to include the Juke model, as well as the 24-hour turnaround of the Qashqai and Qashqai+2.
The impressive turnover included: 244,298 Qashqais, 56,979 Qashqai+2s, 132,606 Jukes and 46,602 Nissan Notes.
The celebration of the plant's six millionth vehicle in January also made 2011 a year to remember, demonstrating the longevity behind its success.
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: "Many congratulations to the Nissan team for achieving record-breaking production volumes.
"They demonstrate the strength of UK automotive manufacturing which continues to buck the economic trend, outperforming 2010 by an anticipated 6%."
Staff levels at the Sunderland factory also hit an all-time high, with 5,462 people directly employed on the site.
Mr Everitt explained that this was not an isolated example, as UK motor manufacturing continues to buck the financial uncertainty.
He added: "2011 saw the UK attract a remarkable level of investment, with global vehicle manufacturers committing in excess of £4 billion to plants and facilities securing future model production and employment.
"Despite the uncertainty within the eurozone, there is real confidence in the future of UK manufacturing and it will make an increasing contribution to exports, economic growth and employment in the coming years."
Copyright © Press Association 2012