Nissan are today celebrating record UK output figures.
According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the 423,262 vehicles manufactured at Nissan's plant in Sunderland mean that more than a third of all passengers cars built in the UK last year came from the Tyne & Wear facility. The 2010 figures smashed the Sunderland plant's previous record of 386,555 units, which it achieved in 2008, and 81% of last year's output was destined for the export market. 2010 was the thirteenth year in succession that Nissan's Sunderland factory has been the UK's largest car producer.
The plant employs almost 5,000 people in the North East, and added a third shift to its Qashqai production line in May last year. The Qashqai accounted for almost two-thirds of overall production. In addition, 44,622 Nissan Jukes have rolled off the Sunderland plant's production lines since production commenced in August, although 2010 saw Micra production moved to India after 18 years. The Nissan Note is also produced in Sunderland.
The plant, which began production in 1986, passed the six million vehicle mark last year, and further good news for its workforce is that from 2013 it will host production of the fully electric Nissan LEAF. A new battery plant is currently under construction in Sunderland. The LEAF is due to see its first models delivered to UK customers over the next few weeks.
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