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Nissan to build new models in Sunderland Nissan to build new models in Sunderland
(35 minutes later)
Nissan has confirmed it will build both the new Qashqai and the X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant in the first major development for the car industry since the Brexit vote.Nissan has confirmed it will build both the new Qashqai and the X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant in the first major development for the car industry since the Brexit vote.
The Japanese company's commitment to Britain's biggest car plant had been in doubt following the referendum.The Japanese company's commitment to Britain's biggest car plant had been in doubt following the referendum.
Carlos Ghosn, Nissan chief executive, said government "support and assurances" allowed it to decide to make the two new cars in Sunderland.Carlos Ghosn, Nissan chief executive, said government "support and assurances" allowed it to decide to make the two new cars in Sunderland.
The decision will secure 7,000 jobs.The decision will secure 7,000 jobs.
A Nissan spokesman said making the X-Trail at Sunderland could lead to hundreds of new jobs being created in the coming years.A Nissan spokesman said making the X-Trail at Sunderland could lead to hundreds of new jobs being created in the coming years.
Mr Ghosn said he welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's "commitment to the automotive industry in Britain".Mr Ghosn said he welcomed Prime Minister Theresa May's "commitment to the automotive industry in Britain".
Last month, he warned that Nissan might not invest in the Sunderland plant unless the government guaranteed compensation for costs related to any new trade tariffs resulting from Brexit.Last month, he warned that Nissan might not invest in the Sunderland plant unless the government guaranteed compensation for costs related to any new trade tariffs resulting from Brexit.
Mrs May described the announcement as "fantastic news", adding: "This vote of confidence shows Britain is open for business."Mrs May described the announcement as "fantastic news", adding: "This vote of confidence shows Britain is open for business."
A Downing Street spokesman could not give any details of the government's promises to the company.A Downing Street spokesman could not give any details of the government's promises to the company.
Business Secretary Greg Clark said: "The fact Nissan have not only made a long-term commitment to build the next generation Qashqai and X-Trail at Sunderland, but decided to upgrade their factory to a super-plant, manufacturing over 600,000 cars a year, is proof of the strength of the sector."Business Secretary Greg Clark said: "The fact Nissan have not only made a long-term commitment to build the next generation Qashqai and X-Trail at Sunderland, but decided to upgrade their factory to a super-plant, manufacturing over 600,000 cars a year, is proof of the strength of the sector."
Analysis: Russell Hotten, business reporterAnalysis: Russell Hotten, business reporter
We don't know the details of the "support and assurance" that Nissan extracted from the UK government. But it was clearly enough to secure a commitment from Nissan to build not one, but two new cars at the Sunderland plant.We don't know the details of the "support and assurance" that Nissan extracted from the UK government. But it was clearly enough to secure a commitment from Nissan to build not one, but two new cars at the Sunderland plant.
The promise to shield Nissan from the impact of Brexit will not be lost on rival manufacturers, both those already in the UK as well as those that might be tempted to come.The promise to shield Nissan from the impact of Brexit will not be lost on rival manufacturers, both those already in the UK as well as those that might be tempted to come.
Will other carmakers will big investment decisions to make now favour Britain? It's possible - but not before they have secured a few government guarantees. Will other carmakers with big investment decisions to make now favour Britain? It's possible - but not before they have secured a few government guarantees.
The UK car industry has been vocal in warning about the impact of an exit from the single market.The UK car industry has been vocal in warning about the impact of an exit from the single market.
Although the cheaper pound makes their exports more attractive (just see today's GDP figures), a hard Brexit and the prospect of trade tariffs will add to their costs. Although the cheaper pound makes their exports more attractive, a hard Brexit and the prospect of trade tariffs will add to their costs.
It seems likely that the government has now promised some sort of financial support against such an impact. That will be controversial, of course. But once outside the EU, it won't necessarily be illegal either. It seems likely that the government has now promised some sort of financial support to cushion Nissan against such an impact. That will be controversial, of course. But once outside the EU, it won't necessarily be illegal.
Building the X-Trail SUV is an unexpected addition to the model line-up at Sunderland, which makes almost one in three cars built in Britain and produced 475,000 vehicles last year - 80% of which were exported.Building the X-Trail SUV is an unexpected addition to the model line-up at Sunderland, which makes almost one in three cars built in Britain and produced 475,000 vehicles last year - 80% of which were exported.
The Sunderland plant opened in 1986 and has produced almost nine million cars over the past three decades.The Sunderland plant opened in 1986 and has produced almost nine million cars over the past three decades.
Export growthExport growth
Production of the next Qashqai model is expected to begin in 2018 or 2019.Production of the next Qashqai model is expected to begin in 2018 or 2019.
The UK's car industry is performing strongly, with almost 1.3 million vehicles produced in the nine months to September - a 10.5% increase on the same period last year.The UK's car industry is performing strongly, with almost 1.3 million vehicles produced in the nine months to September - a 10.5% increase on the same period last year.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of industry body the SMMT, said on Thursday: "British-built cars are in demand across the world, as demonstrated by the double-digit growth in exports this year, resulting in more than a million cars produced for international markets.Mike Hawes, chief executive of industry body the SMMT, said on Thursday: "British-built cars are in demand across the world, as demonstrated by the double-digit growth in exports this year, resulting in more than a million cars produced for international markets.
"Future growth will depend on securing our international competitiveness and the barrier-free access to major global markets that has enabled UK Automotive to thrive.""Future growth will depend on securing our international competitiveness and the barrier-free access to major global markets that has enabled UK Automotive to thrive."