This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/business/8158420.stm

The article has changed 14 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Electric car to save Nissan jobs Nissan to create hundreds of jobs
(about 1 hour later)
Nissan is to announce that its Wearside factory will build a new generation of electric cars - which could secure the future of at least 4,000 jobs. Nissan is to announce that its Wearside factory will start producing batteries for electric cars, which could create several hundred new jobs.
The plant, near Sunderland, has beaten off competition from other Nissan factories in Europe for the investment.
The £380m project will be supported by the European Investment Bank and aided in part by government grants.The £380m project will be supported by the European Investment Bank and aided in part by government grants.
The plant, near Sunderland, has beaten off competition from other Nissan factories in Europe for the investment.
Last week Toyota said it would start making its new Auris hybrid vehicle at its Derbyshire plant from mid-2010.Last week Toyota said it would start making its new Auris hybrid vehicle at its Derbyshire plant from mid-2010.
CompetitionCompetition
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson plans a "green revolution" in the north east.Business Secretary Lord Mandelson plans a "green revolution" in the north east.
He will visit the factory and address some of the company's 4,000 workers about plans to create a "low-carbon economic area" in the region, including a research and development centre and technology park. He will visit the Sunderland factory and address some of the company's 4,000 workers about plans to create a "low-carbon economic area" in the region, including a research and development centre and technology park.
Earlier this year, the government set aside £2.3bn to support Britain's ailing car industry - but nothing has yet been paid out.Earlier this year, the government set aside £2.3bn to support Britain's ailing car industry - but nothing has yet been paid out.
However, Japanese car giant Nissan could be one of the first beneficiaries as it announces the new type of electric car that is to be made at its existing Sunderland premises, which opened in 1986. However, Japanese car giant Nissan could be one of the first beneficiaries.
The plant saw off competition from a rival Nissan factory in Barcelona to build a car based on a prototype called Nuvu. Lord Mandelson says Nissan's move to become a major manufacturer of batteries for electric cars marks "an important advance" towards the government's ambition of the UK becoming Europe's leading manufacturer of electric vehicles.
The expected announcement from Nissan will come only days after its Japanese rival Toyota said it would start manufacturing the new Auris hybrid petrol-electric vehicle at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire from mid-2010.The expected announcement from Nissan will come only days after its Japanese rival Toyota said it would start manufacturing the new Auris hybrid petrol-electric vehicle at its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire from mid-2010.