Nissan announces plans to create 350 new jobs

The UK’s ailing car industry has received a boost today with the news that Nissan will create 350 new jobs at its plant in Sunderland, while safeguarding hundreds more in the related supply chain.

The new jobs come as part of a £200 million investment, spread over five years, to produce batteries for electric cars.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: “Nissan’s investment in a new battery plant and its hope to start producing electric vehicles in Sunderland is great news for the local economy.”

“Sunderland could now be a strong contender to produce electric vehicles for Nissan in Europe, and we will continue to work with Nissan to ensure this happens,” added the PM.

The Government is planning to set up a “Low Carbon Economic Area” in the North East, including a training centre which will be the first to specialise in the manufacture and maintenance of ultra-low carbon vehicles.

Meanwhile, Business Secretary, Lord Peter Mandelson, said the move marks “an important advance” to making the UK the ‘electric car capital of Europe’.

Nissan’s announcement comes just a few days after rival carmaker, Toyota, said it would start manufacturing the new Auris hybrid petrol-electric vehicle at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire from next year.

Reports show that many consumers are willing to buy electric cars but cost prevents them doing so.

According to Geoff Hoon, Transport Secretary, less than 0.1% of the UK’s 26 million cars are electric.

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