Nissan's UK Primera Production Begins

December 7, 2001

London - Production of the new Nissan Primera will begin at the company's Sunderland plant in the UK on Monday 17th December. The new car, which marks an important step forward in Nissan's product-led revival in Europe, will go on sale from the beginning of March next year.

Total investment for the new car has been 215 million pounds (approx. $325 million), of which 104 million pounds has been on new and improved facilities in the Sunderland plant, with investment in supplier tooling accounting for most of the balance. The plant has recruited an extra 300 fixed-term contract staff to support the launch of the new Primera. The total number of staff now employed by Nissan in Sunderland is around 4,700.

The plant will reach its full production level (of around 120,000 cars a year) in less than six weeks, a new record for Nissan in Europe. Around 80% of annual production is expected to be exported outside of the UK, with the main markets being in Europe.

John Cushnaghan, MD of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK), said: "We have been working hard to prepare for this day for two years now. The trial build programme has gone very well and we are looking forward to starting production for real."