Nissan has announced it will build the next Qashqai and X-Trail models at its Sunderland factory, safeguarding more than 7,000 jobs. The decision marks the first major investment in the car industry since the Brexit vote.
Colin Lawther, a senior Nissan official, said there were ambitions to turn the factory into a 'super plant' producing 600,000 cars a year. The prime minister, Theresa May, hailed the decision as a vote of confidence in Britain.
The announcement came as new figures showed the economy fared better than expected after the Brexit vote. The Office for National Statistics said GDP grew by 0.5% in the third quarter, ahead of City forecasts of 0.3%.
Nissan's chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, said government support and assurances led to the decision. He had previously warned that future investment depended on compensation if tariffs were imposed on car exports.
John McDonnell, Labour's shadow chancellor, criticised the deal as 'chaotic' and called for more transparency. Unite, Britain's largest union, urged the government to support other carmakers to ensure continued investment.
