Crucial decision on Nissan car jobs put back

Jan 19 2010 by William Green, The Journal

Mr Mann, Nissan senior vice-president for manufacturing in Europe, said: “We are as keen as everybody else to secure the factory.

“There is a lot of work taking place. There should be some decision by the early summer.”

Speaking after the event, he said this would be in May or June – but insisted it was nothing to do with the looming general election.

“We will be doing what is required by the business,” said Mr Mann.

He added the company would be happy to talk to any government, whether that was Tory, Labour or Liberal Democrat.

His comments came after Shadow Business Minister Mark Prisk refused to promise that a Tory government would back Nissan’s electric vehicle plans. Mr Prisk said it was not possible because the Conservatives had not seen the public finance “books”.

He said: “I have no doubt that Nissan will come forward with sensible proposals. I will want to look at those with [Shadow Business Secretary] Ken Clarke and we will want to give all reasonable support to them we can.”

He stressed that he had “every faith” in Nissan, but did not want to give an “off-the-cuff” remark now.

“What I will say to you is that it will be treated very seriously because this sector is very important and very important to this part of the world,” said Mr Prisk.