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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
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| Jobs boost for Nissan car plant | Jobs boost for Nissan car plant |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| Almost 800 new jobs are being created at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, thanks to the success of the firm's new Qashqai model. | Almost 800 new jobs are being created at the Nissan car plant in Sunderland, thanks to the success of the firm's new Qashqai model. |
| More than 130,000 of the small 4X4 vehicles have been sold in Europe since their launch in March 2007. | More than 130,000 of the small 4X4 vehicles have been sold in Europe since their launch in March 2007. |
| By December 2008, the firm wants to make 400 staff permanent, with the remainder on temporary contracts. | By December 2008, the firm wants to make 400 staff permanent, with the remainder on temporary contracts. |
| About 850 Qashqai's roll off the production line every day. An extra night-shift is now being introduced. | About 850 Qashqai's roll off the production line every day. An extra night-shift is now being introduced. |
| Trevor Mann, senior vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management, Nissan Europe, said: "Currently on two shifts, we can produce 200,000 Qashqais per year. | Trevor Mann, senior vice president for manufacturing and supply chain management, Nissan Europe, said: "Currently on two shifts, we can produce 200,000 Qashqais per year. |
| "However, the car is proving so popular we now need to significantly increase our volume. | "However, the car is proving so popular we now need to significantly increase our volume. |
| "All of the Sunderland plant's current temporary manufacturing staff will be offered permanent positions with the company on a rolling basis throughout the year, subject to performance and sustained volume." | "All of the Sunderland plant's current temporary manufacturing staff will be offered permanent positions with the company on a rolling basis throughout the year, subject to performance and sustained volume." |
| Near flawless | |
| More than 4,300 people already work at the plant, which has produced almost five million cars since production on Wearside began 20 years ago. | More than 4,300 people already work at the plant, which has produced almost five million cars since production on Wearside began 20 years ago. |
| Roger Maddison, national officer, for union Unite, said: "This is fantastic news for the North East, our members and the motor industry as a whole. | |
| "Unite members were instrumental in the near flawless launch of the UK-designed Qashqai. | |
| "With orders and forecasted sales expected to be even better this year, a third shift of production is needed in order to meet demand." |