Nissan to build new models in the UK (blog 3)

Nissan to build new models in the UK

Nissan one of the worlds leading car manufactures has said today that it will produce the new model of its Qashqai SUV at it's Sunderland plant, as well as the X-Trail SUV which is currently made in Japan. For me personally this is great news, I have friends and family who work for the company and after Brexit there was a huge shadow of doubt which was cast over the plant, many people thought that Nissan would simply uproot and move it's production to another country such as France or Japan, however this news will be viewed as a massive positive for the area by keeping thousands of workers employed but also by allowing younger people to achieve something when opportunities are few and far between.

From growing up in the North East of England I can personally tell you as a whole it is a poverty stricken area and has been for many years there's no denying that, however with substantial investment from Nissan they have now taken over the pit and ship yards as the leading form of industry in Sunderland, becoming the lifeline for many people to get out of poverty and actually earn a decent living. It is the first UK investment decision by an international carmaker since the Brexit vote in June and was made following assurances from the prime minister to Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn that the company would be protected from its impact. I believe that this is a really powerful message and through Nissan kickstarting this investment stage that hopefully many other businesses in a variation of fields will soon follow, not only providing investment in the London and Manchester etc. but actually creating a proper so called "Northern Powerhouse" which goes the extra 140 miles beyond Manchester to Sunderland and it's surrounding neighbouring cities... 

The Nissan factory in Sunderland is the largest car plant in the UK, it produces over 500,000 cars a year and employs over 7000 people, that is not to mention the other companies which support Nissan in the building and manufacturing of parts such as Unipress. The vast opportunities of work that Nissan can offer are specifically why people look into apprenticeships or full time work as soon as they leave school, many of my friends who didn't wish to carry on education at college full time have gone on to an apprenticeship at Nissan in which they earn good money for an apprentice and gain qualifications which can allow them access to university or allow them to progress higher in the industry. This was also a temptation I faced when choosing to go to university or not. However I feel that going to university will open the door to many businesses such as Nissan and allow me to reach a higher level then my friends who are on the line everyday. The expansion of the Sunderland plant has been supported due to the plant running three shifts around the clock, the second line only has two so may need to add a third, this shows support from Nissan and is an encouraging sign that more workers will be hired.

I understand that there was a real threat that Nissan may end it's production work at the Sunderland plant and move elsewhere, prior to the Brexit vote Nissan stated that if the UK were to leave the EU then so would Nissan as tariff costs would be too high to export goods, however after reassurances from the Prime minister, Mr Ghosn has described Sunderland as a “European plant based in Britain”. Showing support for Sunderland and the continual manufacturing of products at this plant which will supply the rest of Europe.

Let me know if your area faces similar problems due to the Brexit vote below.

https://www.ft.com/content/eabd6152-9c29-11e6-8324-be63473ce146