Member Article

Weekend shifts return to Nissan

Weekend shifts are to return at Nissan from Saturday as the car market shows its first signs of recovery.

The 1,200 jobs lost at the plant this year came after worldwide car sales plummeted by more than 50%. But the success of car scrappage schemes in Europe has increased demand - including a 40% rise in sales in Germany - and it is hoped that the introduction of a similar scheme in the UK will boost Nissan’s fortunes even further.

Deputy managing director Kevin Fitzpatrick said: “As a result of existing scrappage schemes operating on the Continent, as well as the recently announced UK scheme expected to begin next month, Nissan Sunderland plant is expecting an additional, short-term demand for volume.

“In anticipation of this temporary increase in customer demand, we have scheduled overtime on both of our production lines, although at reduced speed, including some weekend working in line with out volume flexibility agreement.

“Due to the effects of the ongoing financial crisis, the car market remains highly volatile. We will continue to closely monitor demand and take appropriate action to adjust volume to sales.”

Nissan has been able to benefit from scrappage schemes of other European governments as the majority of vehicles produced at its Sunderland plant are exported to the continent.

The company announced last month that it would be extending the Government’s scrappage scheme with its own deal, pledging to expand the £2,000 trade-in offer to include eight-year-old cars. The national scheme is for cars older than 10 years.

Ian Williams, director of business and industry and development agency One NorthEast, said: “This is very welcome news for the Sunderland plant at such a volatile time for the automotive sector.”

Tony Sarginson, regional manager for industry body EEF Northern said the news was not just a major boost for Nissan but also for the companies and workers in the company’s supply chain.

He added: “Any sort of work at the moment has to be good news and we haven’t had much of that lately. “It gives us all a boost and will also help the supply chain companies which are probably suffering more than Nissan themselves at the moment.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .