Nissan electric vehicle reports a vote of confidence in “world’s best” workforce on Wearside

Responding to reports by Sky News that an announcement will be made on Friday (24 November) that future electric versions of the Qashqai and Juke will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, Paul Edgeworth - Leader of the Liberal Democrats Opposition on Sunderland City Council - said:

“If these reports are true and Nissan’s Sunderland plant is going to receive major investment to build the new electric Qashqai and Juke cars then it really is proof that Sunderland’s manufacturing workforce is the best in the world.

“Major investment from Nissan into the UK electric car manufacturing market would be another huge vote of confidence in Wearside’s workforce coming on the back of the company’s EV36Zero battery factory currently being developed alongside the Nissan plant – and will help safeguard thousands of skilled jobs for the region.

“I hope this announcement will be the wake-up call Sunderland Council needs to get them to urgently roll out a decent electric vehicle charging network in all parts of the city – particularly our estates where people don’t have their own drive – so that local people can buy a Mackem-made electric car of their own.”