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| Nissan to create hundreds of jobs | Nissan to create hundreds of jobs |
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| Nissan has announced that its Wearside factory will start producing batteries for electric cars, which is expected to create 350 new jobs. | Nissan has announced that its Wearside factory will start producing batteries for electric cars, which is expected to create 350 new jobs. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that Nissan's £200m investment "was great news for the local economy". | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said that Nissan's £200m investment "was great news for the local economy". |
| 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. |
| "Sunderland could now be a strong contender to produce electric vehicles for Nissan in Europe, and we will continue to work with Nissan to ensure this happens," the prime minister said. | "Sunderland could now be a strong contender to produce electric vehicles for Nissan in Europe, and we will continue to work with Nissan to ensure this happens," the prime minister said. |
| Mr Brown visited the Sunderland factory along with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. | Mr Brown visited the Sunderland factory along with Business Secretary Lord Mandelson. |
| Mr Mandelson said a "low-carbon economic area" would be established in the North East. | |
| Nissan's £200m investment will be spread over five years and the new plant, which will make lithium-ion batteries, will also create and secure additional jobs in the related supply chain. | |
| Assistance | |
| The government said it was working with Nissan on supporting the investment by offering grants and loan guarantees, including support through its Automotive Assistance Programme. | |
| 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. |
| Lord Mandelson added that 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 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. | 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. |
| Do you work at the Nissan factory or live in Wearside? What is your reaction to Nissan's announcement? Will you be applying for a job there? How will this affect the local economy? Send us your comments using the form below. | Do you work at the Nissan factory or live in Wearside? What is your reaction to Nissan's announcement? Will you be applying for a job there? How will this affect the local economy? Send us your comments using the form below. |
| A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |