Jobs boost as Nissan invests £192m in British car factory

The firm said the decision was a “major endorsement” of the quality of British-made products and for its factories and workers in Sunderland, Bedfordshire and London.

The car will be developed at Nissan’s design centre in London and at its technical site in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, before being built in Sunderland.

Prime Minister David Cameron said the announcement was “fantastic news”.

Nissan said the new Qashqai represented an investment of £192m in Britain and will safeguard 6,000 jobs at its factories and across the supply chain.

The Qashqai is the highest-volume car produced in this country, with around 80 per cent exported to 97 countries.

Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn made the announcement at a meeting with the Prime Minister in Downing Street, saying: “The UK has been a cornerstone of Nissan manufacturing since 1986, with the Sunderland plant setting important benchmarks for quality and efficiency in Europe and around the world.

“It’s the home of the Qashqai, one of Nissan’s biggest product successes, and, as Nissan’s leadership in sustainable transportation grows, the plant will become one of the pillars of our zero-emission manufacturing.”

The Sunderland plant will produce its one millionth Qashqai later this month.

Mr Cameron said: “This investment from Nissan is fantastic news and a great demonstration of the strength and vitality of the UK car industry. That future manufacturing and R&D has been secured is a tribute to the skill, expertise and hard work of Nissan’s UK workforce.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Today’s announcement is welcome news that brings further long-term investment in what is already the UK’s biggest car production plant.”