Crucial decision on Nissan car jobs put back

Jan 19 2010 by William Green, The Journal

CAR giant Nissan will not announce whether it will build electric vehicles in the North East until after the general election.

Top company executive Trevor Mann yesterday said a decision about electric car manufacture at Nissan’s Washington plant would be made in May or June despite initial signs an announcement would come in December.

It means the region will not find out about the critical decision until after the general election amid predictions the poll will be held in March or – more likely – May.

Nissan’s Washington plant, which employs more than 3,000 workers, is bidding against a company plant in Portugal to build the manufacturer’s LEAF electric car, which could create thousands of jobs locally.

In further news, shadow Tory business minister Mark Prisk refused to give a cast-iron guarantee on whether a David Cameron government would support Nissan in bringing electric car production to the North East.

The developments came after The Journal asked the pair about regional electric car manufacture at a seminar in Parliament yesterday afternoon.

The event, held to look at the challenges and opportunities facing the British car industry, was arranged by Sunderland City Council and supported by Nissan.