Nissan is evaluating plans to cut back production line shifts at its Sunderland plant, which could threaten 400 jobs, according to reports.
The Japanese car maker is considering cutting the number of shifts on the production line that makes the Qashqai and X-Trail SUVs from three to two, Sky News says.
Nissan recently reversed plans to build the next-generation X-Trail at Sunderland, citing the decline in demand for diesel as the key factor - while acknowledging uncertainty over Brexit raised questions over long-term investment in the plant. It is still planning to make the next-generation Nissan Juke and Nissan Qashqai SUVs there.
A Nissan spokesperson said: “We don’t comment on rumour or speculation.”
Sky News was first to break the news of Nissan’s decision not to build the next X-Trail in Sunderland.
The reports create more uncertainty for the UK car industry, following soon after Honda announced it would shut its Swindon plant. It comes as bosses of both BMW and Toyota have again said they would be forced to consider moving production out of the country in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
BMW board member Peter Schwarzenbauer told Sky the firm could move Mini production abroad in a “worst case” no-deal scenario. He said: “For Mini, this is a real danger.”
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Diesel, Brexit blamed as Nissan scraps plans to build X-Trail in Sunderland
Mini could move some production out of the UK after Brexit
Opinion: Brexit is a problem for the UK car industry, whatever your political stance
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Firstly Nissan doesn't make
Second the production line is still running flat out with 2 models, leaf and QQ.
Third leaf is selling so fast it is going beyond business plan
Fourth QQ is selling so fast STILL it has to be made on 2 assembly lines
Fifth Nissan just spent hundreds of millions building
New Paint shop
New press shop
New business Park currently being built
I know let's cut production by 1/3rd... Where's the logic behind the "some sources say"
Disgruntled employee spreading rumours for cash perhaps? Every news outlet reads sky news and copy pastes? In this case so bad they don't even know what cars Nissan make, but know Exactly what state finances are in... Pmsl
Guys brexit is not the
Guys brexit is not the problem at all... and why are people saying they are remainers????? The remain campaign was one of the worst ever put forward....
Put that in your mouth and chew it!!!
I would think that James
I would think that James Attwood (the author of this drivel) is either useless at his job, or is a remainer, or both. The 'job' of a remainer who is also a 'journalist' is to lie.
Pardon me?
Nissan don’t currently manufacture X-Trail at Sunderland.
Still very few Brexiteers
Still very few Brexiteers talking about the possibility of British Icon the Mini being made outside the UK because of Brexit. That rather suggests that there is an acceptance Brexit is to blame.
So working on the basis of a Hard Brexit what would leavers suggest we do to stop the loss of jobs at Oxford? I’d personally be inclined to nationalise the company and then sell it for a knock down price to JLR reuniting all the UK brands under one roof.... trouble is we’d have to subsidise JLR to do it as they won’t want to run at a loss either.
Still very few Remainers
Still very few Remainers grasp that Brexit is a political decision by the people, not an economic one. Why have you failed to understand that, T Stag? There may be some economic disadvantages from leaving the EU if no deal is arranged. However, there will be virtually none if a deal IS arranged...that's why the EU doesn't really want to do a deal - it isn't difficult to grasp the concept. IF we leave with no deal and the MINI is made abroad, then that will have been a direct consequence of leaving, of that there will be no doubt. That's an 'if', T Stag.
BUT...we will have regained our full sovereignty, we will have regained full control of our borders, we will have regained full control of immigration system, we will have regained full control of what tariffs (taxes) we impose. That means that any economic price is a price worth paying - over 17 million people decided that. So IF we lose production of the MINI, it would have been worth it. Are you starting to get it yet?
A word on tariffs:
Tariffs are taxes imposed on the people of the nation. If you buy a product from outside of the EU costing £1,000 (like a TV, for example) the EU imposes a tariff (tax) on that of say 10% - £100. Out of that £100, the UK is 'allowed' to keep £20. The other £80 OF YOUR MONEY(!) goes straight to the EU for redistribution to Romainia, etc, or to EU official's wages and pensions. That's right, £80 of YOUR money being stolen by the EU straight out of your wallet. How do you feel about that? Isn't it better to have no tariffs, then? Ah, now you are starting to learn about the EU - a closed circuit that benefits big business and the socialist way of governmental system (that of imposing taxes). The EU will only allow no tariffs between its nations (a closed circuit). This self-protectionism has given you so much, hasn't it? No!
Britain is very strong, economically, despite the uncertainty of Brexit. This is putting the fear of god into the EU. If we get a deal then the EU will be crushed - which is why is doesn't want to give us one (it's understandable). Even if we don't get a deal, and we suffer for a short while, Britain's economics are so strong that we will bounce back better than ever - again, the EU is incredibly fearful of this.
Finally, for any remainers out there, I have one final thought: Look what's happening in Algeria this week. Do you understand it? Do you want to be in the EU when it all goes bang? Do you understand why you don't? If not, you haven't been paying attention (and I'll explain it on request).