With the plant employing around 6,000 staff – not to mention the thousands more engaged in the wider supply chain – its importance to the city’s economy cannot be underestimated. Here we look back through our archives at a selection of pictures taken at the Washington plant and in the surrounding community.
5. Primera movers
Now we motor forward to 1991 as Nissan staff Patrick Hore, Chris Hindmarsh, Gary Turnbull, Lee Brooks, Tony Curry and Ian Ingram celebrate as the first shipment of luxury Primera motors leaves Sunderland for Japan. Photo: Sunderland Echo
6. Staff picture
Staff members Eric Wheeler, Jill Parnell and Doug Lorraine in a 1992 photo. Photo: Sunderland Echo
7. The boot-iful game
Nissan Football Club in 1995. Photo: Sunderland Echo
8. Landmark day
Olympian Steve Cram, right, with the Nissan plant's two millionth car in 1999. Photo: Sunderland Echo