Nissan jobs boost revealed on PM’s Japan visit
Cameron joined by firms including Barclays, Shell and Rolls-Royce on Asia tour aimed at improving UK trade links
Nissan is to create 1,000 jobs by building its new hatchback at its Sunderland plant, David Cameron and the firm’s chief operating officer, Toshiyuki Shiga, announced today during the prime minister’s trade trip to Asia.
'This trip is really about British business, British exports and investment from Britain into these countries, and investment from these countries into Britain'
- David Cameron
The prime minister and Mr Shiga broke the news at Nissan’s HQ in Yokohama – on the first leg of a tour aimed at attracting Asian investment to the UK economy. Mr Cameron, pictured above with UK workers at the Nissan Japan plant, has been joined on the tour by firms including Barclays, BP, Shell, Rolls-Royce and BAE Systems.
A total of £200m of Japanese investment in Britain was due to be announced on the visit, according to Reuters.
"This trip is really about British business, British exports and investment from Britain into these countries, and investment from these countries into Britain," Mr Cameron said today.
"Nissan's investment in the UK is a huge vote of confidence in the skills and flexibility of the UK workforce. We want to attract more investment like this," said Cameron, who is due to meet Japanese prime minister Yoshihiko Noda later today.
The announcement that 225 jobs will be created at the plant in 2014, with a further 900 at Nissan supplier firms, follows last month’s news that Nissan would be building its compact Invitation car at Sunderland.
"In Europe Nissan has achieved record growth in recent years by providing innovative, customer-focused models like Qashqai and Juke that are designed, developed and produced within the region,” Mr Shiga said.
"Nissan already produces more vehicles in Europe than any other Asian manufacturer and the model announced today will bring world-class quality and leading technology to our customers at the heart of the European C-segment.
"I would also like to thank the UK Government for its strong and sustained support which allows us to continue making significant, long-term investment in our Sunderland operation."
Mr Cameron said he was hoping to take advantage of Japan’s move last year to allow its companies to open up arms development projects and procure equipment to countries other than the US.
More on the PM’s Asia trip
Bloomberg: Cameron calls on Japan to lift trade blocks to EU countries
Reuters: Nissan invests in UK as Cameron visits Japan