Nissan to close UK line and cut 900 European jobs
6 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleJonny Manning,North East and CumbriaandTheo Leggett,Business correspondent
ReutersCar manufacturer Nissan has announced it will stop using one of its UK production lines and will be cutting 900 jobs in Europe.
The company confirmed it would be merging two of the lines producing the Leaf, Juke and Qashqai models at its Sunderland plant, but said no jobs would lost through the change.
However, the Japanese-owned car maker said it was in talks to cut about 10% of its European workforce, which included plans to close part of its warehouse in Barcelona and import cars to Nordic countries.
A Nissan spokesperson said the changes were being made under its RE:Nissan recovery plan and were designed to create a “leaner, more resilient business that adapts quickly to market changes”.
The company said it had started discussions with its European employees with a view to simplifying structures and “ensuring we operate in a sustainable and profitable way”.
A spokesperson said: “We have also announced that we will consolidate production from two lines to one at our Sunderland plant as we assess future opportunities to secure full plant utilisation.”
Although the Sunderland factory is used to build three models, it currently operates well below its potential capacity and has been talking to third parties about moving onto the site.
It is understood to have held talks with several companies including Chinese giant Chery, owner of the Jaecoo and Omoda brands.
The firm has been present in the UK since late 2024 , and its sales here have grown rapidly.
Chery was unavailable for comment.
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