Council boss welcomes Nissan’s pledge to ‘redefine the auto industry in the United Kingdom’

Ashwani Gupta, the car giant’s global chief operating officer, pledged the firm would take Brexit as an opportunity ‘to redefine the auto industry in the United Kingdom’ after he revealed the deal was positive for the Sunderland plant.

Throughout the Brexit negotiations, the company repeatedly warned that crashing out of the EU without a deal would render its European business plan unviable.

But now, Mr Gupta said he believed the last minute deal, which was secured on December 30, would “redefine” the UK’s auto industry.

He said: “Brexit, for Nissan is positive.

“Brexit has brought the business continuity in the short-term, protects 75,000 jobs across Europe and most importantly – all of our models which we manufacture in Sunderland.

“Brexit has brought Nissan a competitive advantage from being in the United Kingdom as one of the largest automakers, not only for the UK but also outside the UK, and that is why I say Brexit is positive for Nissan."

The leader of Sunderland City Council, Councillor Graeme Miller has welcomed the comments on the future of the Sunderland plant.

He commented: "This is another vote of confidence in the city’s world-leading automotive sector and for both Nissan and Envision AESC.

“It helps cement the city’s well-established track record in future technologies, which is vital to the city’s economy as well as to the wider economy of the region and UK.

"We know how important electrification is to the automotive and advanced manufacturing sector moving forward and this announcement not only reinforces Sunderland’s reputation in Electric Vehicle production but also as the UK centre for battery manufacturing.

"It is vital as we grow our green economy, work towards our goals to become carbon neutral as a city, and support achievement of the Government’s net zero targets. This is excellent news and a great step as we continue to move forward on this critical agenda."

Nissan began producing cars at its Wearside plant in 1986 and currently employs around 7,000 workers at the factory.

Support your Echo and become a subscriber today. Enjoy unlimited access to local news, the latest on SAFC and new puzzles every day.

With a digital subscription, you can see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

Click here to subscribe.