Opinion

"Sunderland's Nissan plant shines after 30 years - here's to 30 more"

It's impossible to overstate the importance of Nissan's Wearside plant to the UK car industry, says Graham Hope

Thirty years ago this month, the doors opened at a car factory that was a leap of faith for its owner, Nissan, which had never previously built a plant outside its native Japan.

The importance of the occasion was underlined by the fact that then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher did the honours, but few at the time could have predicted just how significant the Sunderland factory would become, not just for the United Kingdom, but in global terms.

Fast forward to 2016, and it’s impossible to overstate the impact of the Wearside facility. For the north-east of England it has been a life-saver, with a direct workforce of 7,000 and around 40,000 other jobs reliant on the factory. 

• Nissan boss: future investment in Sunderland plant on Brexit terms

For Nissan it has been a production powerhouse, responsible for cars such as the Micra, Qashqai, Juke and Leaf, and now churning out over 500,000 models a year – a rate of 117 per hour.

For the industry at large, it is a shining example of efficiency and an unmistakable symbol of the enduring relevance of British car manufacturing.

How ironic, then, that at a time when Sunderland should be celebrating, there is a degree of unease in the air over its future, caused by the reluctance of our political leaders to lay out a coherent roadmap for the country in the wake of June’s Brexit vote.

Nissan Sunderland's success story: UK car manufacturing at its best

Let’s be clear: it is uncertainty rather than widespread alarm we are talking about here. We simply don’t know enough about how the UK will trade with Europe in future to make an educated guess on what the implications are for Sunderland.

What we can say with conviction, though, is that if ever there was a car manufacturing facility that deserves the chance to continue its success story, it’s this one. Thanks for the past 30 years, Sunderland, and here’s to many more. 

What are your thoughts on Nissan's Sunderland plant? Leave us a comment below...

Recommended

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf
Nissan Sunderland
News

£3bn for Nissan Sunderland to build all-electric Juke, Qashqai and next-generation Leaf

The UK’s largest car plant will receive huge investment to build Nissan’s next generation of EVs
24 Nov 2023
New Nissan Hyper Force Concept unveiled: is the GT-R going electric?
Nissan Hyper Force Concept - front static
News

New Nissan Hyper Force Concept unveiled: is the GT-R going electric?

The final of Nissan’s five Tokyo Motor Show concept cars is a 1,341bhp electric supercar with solid-state battery technology
25 Oct 2023
The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 
Nissan Hyper Punk – front
News

The new Nissan Hyper Punk is a concept car for influencers 

Nissan says the Hyper Punk offers seamless connectivity between the ‘virtual and physical’ world 
19 Oct 2023
Don’t get angry! New Nissan Hyper Tourer concept can monitor your moods
New Nissan Hyper Tourer concept - front
News

Don’t get angry! New Nissan Hyper Tourer concept can monitor your moods

The new Nissan Hyper Tourer electric MPV concept will be on display at the Tokyo Motor Show
17 Oct 2023

Most Popular

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’
Opinion - Fiat Scudo
Opinion

‘Forget leasing a car, a cut-price van should be your next everyday vehicle’

With some huge savings to be had, Mike Rutherford thinks a van could be the perfect vehicle
3 Dec 2023
Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month
Skoda Superb Estate - front tracking
News

Deal of the Day: Spacious Skoda Superb is a peerless estate for £223 a month

The Superb is one of our favourite estates and our Deal of the Day for Monday 4 December
4 Dec 2023
New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates
Renault 5 EV concept at 2022 Goodwood Festival of Speed
News

New Renault 5: price, specs, launch and on sale dates

Renault’s reborn Renault 5 will start from €25,000 in Europe, suggesting a circa-£30k price in the UK. It's due on sale in the summer of 2024. Here's …
1 Dec 2023