Nissan's Sunderland plant resumes production on trial basis

A Sunderland car plant has announced that it is resuming production on a trial basis.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant has announced that 50 employees will return to work in its powertrains division on a trial basis.

The majority of the company’s staff is currently furloughed, and the trial will involve less than 1 per cent of its workforce, but if the trial is successful then more of the plant’s operations will reopen.

The company said: “Like the rest of the automotive industry, Nissan is looking forward to resuming business as soon as circumstances across Europe allow.

“The industry is currently working with very limited visibility on future market conditions, however some activities are now being planned.

“Nissan has spent recent weeks carrying out extensive risk assessments and benchmarking with other manufacturers around the world, to put in place a comprehensive set of safety measures to protect the health and wellbeing of employees.

“In Sunderland, the new safety protocols will be implemented in a pilot activity involving the Powertrain team which will begin this week, in accordance with public health advice and supported by employee representatives.

“This will initially involve around 50 people, less than 1 per cent of the plant’s total workforce.

“Regular reviews will take place throughout each phase of this pilot, taking into account the feedback from the teams involved.

“This will inform the return to work protocols for the rest of the factory in the coming weeks.

“No date has been announced yet for the resumption of vehicle production.”