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Nissan to create hundreds of jobs Nissan to create hundreds of jobs
(about 1 hour later)
Nissan is to announce that its Wearside factory will start producing batteries for electric cars, which is expected to create 200 new jobs. Nissan has announced that its Wearside factory will start producing batteries for electric cars, which is expected to create 350 new jobs.
The £380m project will be supported by the European Investment Bank and aided in part by government grants. The 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.The plant, near Sunderland, has beaten off competition from other Nissan factories in Europe for the investment.
The move could pave the way for the production of electric vehicles at the North East plant in the near future.The move could pave the way for the production of electric vehicles at the North East plant in the near future.
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 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. He is visiting the Sunderland factory and will 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.However, Japanese car giant Nissan could be one of the first beneficiaries.
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.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 announcement from Nissan comes 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.