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Nissan to create hundreds of jobs Nissan to create hundreds of jobs
(20 minutes later)
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.
The North East has distinguished itself as the first specialised region for ultra-low-carbon vehicles Lord Mandelson The future of electric motoring Plan to boost electric car sales
Mr Mandelson said a "low-carbon economic area" would be established in the North East.Mr Mandelson said a "low-carbon economic area" would be established in the North East.
As part of the project, 750 charging points would be installed across the region and a training centre specialising in the manufacture and maintenance of low-carbon vehicles would be set up.
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.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.
AssistanceAssistance
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.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 North East has distinguished itself as the first specialised region for ultra-low-carbon vehicles," Lord Mandelson said.
"This is good news not just for the North East, but for the whole of the UK, helping to attract foreign investment and securing UK's place as a global leader in hi-tech manufacturing and automotive industries," he added.
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.
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