Nissan 'halts investment plans' while it remains 'in the dark' over Brexit plans, according to reports
The company's chairman and chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, is said to have announced the Japanese firm is deferring all long-term business decisions while it remains "in the dark" about Britain's future relationship with the EU.
Mr Ghosn is quoted by the BBC as saying that the company's investment plans would be put on hold until there was more clarity.
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Hide AdRelated: Sunderland MP to meet with Nissan bosses over firm's Brexit investment freeze
It comes a week after Airbus and BMW both expressed concerns over the progress of Brexit talks.
Airnbus said it could leave the UK and cut thousands of jobs if the UK leaves the single market and customs union without a transition deal.
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Hide AdNissan employs 7,000 people at its Sunderland plant and supports almost 30,000 more in its supply chain, the vast majority of which is based in the North East.
Related: Sunderland MP to speak to with Nissan bosses over firm's Brexit investment freezeNissan bosses had previously vowed to work with the Government to secure the long-term future of the firm’s Sunderland plant after Brexit.
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Hide AdBut Nissan bosses later said the company would "re-evaluate the situation" once the final deal is concluded.
The SMMT said £347million of investment was earmarked for new models and facilities in the UK in the first half of this year, compared with £647.4million in the same period in 2017.
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Hide AdThe trade association is calling for the Government to safeguard jobs in the sector and to end the current uncertainty about the UK's future trading relationship with the EU post-Brexit.
Chief executive Mike Hawes said: "There is growing frustration in global boardrooms at the slow pace of negotiations."