NISSAN’S announcement that the INVITATION is to be built in Sunderland is a boost for skilled jobs and a lifeline for the local economy, according to Unite, Britain’s biggest union.
Nissan announced yesterday that the production version of this bold new B-segment vehicle, which will be launched in 2013, will replace the Note at the plant and will be built alongside the Juke on line number two.
The car will be built at the Sunderland plant from mid-2013 in a project involving an investment of £125m from Nissan and a £9.3m grant from the government.
Unite national officer Tony Murphy said: ‘This is a boost for skilled jobs and a lifeline for the local economy.
‘The success of the British car industry is proof that with the right suppport and investment, UK manufacturing can flourish. Nissan’s announcement is a testament to the UK’s car-building capability and the skills of the Sunderland workforce.
‘Intervention to support industry works when it is done properly. The government has taken a step in the right direction. We hope this is a sign that the coalition is getting serious about supporting manufacturing.
‘The government must now go further with a robust and interventionist strategy to defend and create jobs.’
The INVITATION announcement was one of five made yesterday by Nissan as the Geneva Motor Show got under way.