Nissan has seen its popularity rise considerably in recent years thanks to the success of the Nissan Qashqai. Staff at Nissan's Sunderland factory recently celebrated its 25th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than to set a load of UK car industry records!
480,485 cars were built at the factory last year, more than any UK car factory in history and up 14% on the previous year. November was a record month for the plant with 46,02 units being driven off the production line. These figures were helped by 24 hour production of the Qashqai. The Juke also enjoyed its first full year in production. The unusual car has been a surprise hit with customers.
In order to meet the demand, extra staff had to be employed. At one time there were 5,642 members of staff at the site, more than ever before. Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan's vice president for production in the UK, said that they had managed to reduce disruption following the Japanese earthquake and tsunami by cancelling overtime, extending the Easter holidays and shortening the Christmas holidays. He also said: "We are now back to the volumes we would have expected to have for the year. We can't make enough of the Qashqai." He added: "There is less inventory waiting here between the factory gate and dealers than there would normally be. We certainly don't have fields of unsold cars."
Production is set to continue at high volume, aided by the introduction of the LEAF in 2013. The Sunderland plant will launch the first lithium-ion battery production facility outside Japan for the electric car.
The steady production levels and introduction will be welcome news to car dealers NI and in England and Wales too.
Author Resource:-
Joanna Small - Automotive Journalist and Enthusiast
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