Nissan X-Trail

New Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Ariya

nissan-cuts-1200-jobs-in-sunderland

Nissan turned up early to the SUV party, with its Qashqai paving the way for the countless models we see today. The Qashqai continues to sell in big numbers in the UK, too, and was also our overall Car of the Year in 2014.

Don’t think Nissan is just about SUVs, though. As well as the Qashqai, the smaller Juke and the larger X-Trail, the Japanese brand has the Micra hatchback, GT-R sports car and Navara pick-up truck.

Nissan was also one of the first big car makers to launch a fully electric car, with its latest Leaf being one of the best on the market.

Despite being based in Japan, Nissan has long committed to building cars in the UK, making several of its best-selling models at a huge factory in Sunderland.

NISSAN

Nissan has announced it is to cut about a quarter of the workforce at its Sunderland plant. That equates to around 1200 jobs at the factory, which opened in 1986. Around 400 of the job losses will be staff on temporary contracts. Sunderland plant boss Trevor Mann said: 'It is essential we take the right action now to ensure we are in a strong and viable position once business conditions return to normal.'

Derek Simpson, of the Unite workers union, said: 'This is devastating news for the workers and their families. 'Today's announcement shows just how serious Britain's economic difficulties are. 'Unite will be doing everything possible to minimise compulsory redundancies and it is absolutely crucial that these workers' skills are not lost.'

Nissan has announced it is to cut about a quarter of the workforce at its Sunderland plant. That equates to around 1200 jobs at the factory, which opened in 1986. Around 400 of the job losses will be staff on temporary contracts.

Sunderland plant boss Trevor Mann said: 'It is essential we take the right action now to ensure we are in a strong and viable position once business conditions return to normal.' Derek Simpson, of the Unite workers union, said: 'This is devastating news for the workers and their families. 'Today's announcement shows just how serious Britain's economic difficulties are. 'Unite will be doing everything possible to minimise compulsory redundancies and it is absolutely crucial that these workers' skills are not lost.'