Triple boost for UK factories

10th June 2011

News that Britain’s most successful motor show is heading to China (above) isn’t the only story putting our car industry back on the map this week. A host of UK-based auto firms have also announced they’re ploughing even more money into manufacturing here.

In a strong vote of confidence, Nissan has revealed that it will invest an extra £192million to build the next-generation Qashqai in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear – safeguarding 6,000 jobs. The current car is the brand’s most successful model to date, with more than 80 per cent exported abroad and sales set to break one million next month.

The design of the forthcoming crossover has been finalised at the Paddington studios in London, according to Nissan insiders, and it’s due in showrooms in 2013.

Aston Martin has also revealed that its four-door Rapide is coming home. Since launch in 2010, the stunning supersaloon has been produced in Graz in Austria, but bosses have announced assembly will be moved to the company’s UK base at Gaydon, Warwickshire, in 12 months’ time. What’s more, BMW has pledged that it will sink £500million into production of the MINI here over the next three years, as it gears up to the launch of the next version of the massive-selling hatchback in 2013.

This major investment will be divided between the Oxford factory, the pressings plant at Swindon in Wiltshire and the Hams Hall engine facility near Birmingham.