RECAP: How the day unfolded as Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Nissan's Sunderland plant after major £1bn investment
and live on Freeview channel 276
The car giant confirmed today, Thursday, July 1, that a new battery manufacturing facility will be created in partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC.
Envision already operates a factory near the Sunderland plant, making batteries for the Nissan Leaf.
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Hide AdThe Sunderland site is expected to open in the next few years, with support from the Government, and create jobs both directly and in Nissan’s supply chain.
Echo reporter Ryan Smith and photographer Stu Norton visited at the plant and were there as the PM took a tour of the site.
Scroll down to see how the day unfolded.
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Live: Nissan announces plans for new battery plant in Sunderland
Key Events
- Nissan unveils plans to build a huge battery factory, creating more than 1,600 new jobs in Sunderland
- Site will build batteries for electric vehicles in partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC
- Jobs will be created at factory and in supply chain.
Boris Johnson visits Sunderland’s Nissan plant
Boris Johnson has conceded he is still largely driven in vehicles running on hydrocarbons when asked if he has an electric car.
During a visit to the Nissan plant in Sunderland, the Prime Minister said: “I, at the moment, am driven in a variety of machines most of which are still run on hydrocarbons but I can tell you we will be phasing it out as soon as we conveniently and economically can.
“There are ongoing discussions about ways we can support people who are going to bring fantastic green technology into this country.
“Obviously they’re confidential but this is something that is a massive benefit to the UK economy.”
The £1 billion project is “a reward for the dedicated workers in the North East of England” says business leader
Lei Zhang, founder of the Envision AESC group which already makes electric batteries in Sunderland, saw parallels with the region’s coal and shipbuilding industrial history, with thousands of new jobs also being created in energy and transportation.
He said that history, with the region’s dedicated and skilled workforce, was a “really good launchpad” for a green industrial revolution.
Mr Zhang said: “North East wind farms have abundant resources, they are able to power this region and could make it the first net zero region in the UK, and could be for Europe.
“You have the DNA, the memory of the first industrial revolution which is a great asset when you are making wind turbines, gear boxes, generators, electric vehicle batteries, cars.
“You need a sophisticated, well-trained, disciplined, serious work force.
“You have the people here, you have the determination here.”
Nissan’s plan for a new battery plant in the UK showed the car giant was taking advantage of the opportunities offered by Brexit
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “Thanks to Brexit I think Nissan is moving forward to use Brexit as an opportunity.
“Nissan’s announcement today is a major vote of confidence in the UK and our highly-skilled workers in the North East. It is a pivotal moment in our electric vehicle revolution securing its future for decades to come.”
The spokesman said that details of UK taxpayer support for the project will be made public once due diligence on the project was complete.
“We will review our support as the project develops and due diligence takes place. Then it is the standard practice after this details of the award will be in the public domain which is a normal procedure and part of the process of transparency,” the spokesman said.
Boris Johnson says level of public money the Government used to support Nissan is “confidential”
Mr Johnson has said the level of public money the Government has used to support Nissan building a new electric model and huge battery plant in the UK is “confidential”.
During a visit to the plant in Sunderland, the Prime Minister told reporters: “There are ongoing discussions about ways we can support people who are going to bring fantastic green technology into this country.
“Obviously they’re confidential but this is something that is a massive benefit to the UK economy.”
Pictures from Mr Johnson’s visit to Sunderland earlier today
In pictures: Prime Minister Boris Johnson visits Nissan's Sunderland factory as new battery plant announced
Boris Johnson has today (Thursday, July 1) visited car giant Nissan’s plant in Sunderland as scores of new jobs are announced for the North East region.
Where it all began
How Nissan bosses were convinced to build the £300million plant in Wearside 40 years ago
One of Sunderland Museum’s more significant exhibits is a Nissan Bluebird – in 1986 it became the first ever vehicle to be produced at the city’s famous car factory.
Nissan said it was too early to say when production will start
The new model will be a cross-over vehicle and Nissan chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta said this month was the 35th anniversary of the plant building its first car, adding: “This is a £1 billion birthday present for all of my colleagues here.”
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “This fantastic investment by Nissan and Envision AESC represents a solemn commitment to the people of Sunderland, bringing further high-skilled jobs and turbocharging our plans to level up the North East.
“This is a huge step forward in our ambition to put the UK at the front of the global electric vehicle race, and further proof, if any was needed, that the UK remains one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive manufacturing.
“I am extremely proud that Nissan has not only reaffirmed its belief in Britain, but is doubling down on its long-standing commitment to our country.”
Focus on PM’s comments during visit to Nissan here in Sunderland - and how much cash backing the plans have been given
During his visit to the plant Prime Minister Boris Johnson was asked much public money is the Government investing in the new Nissan plant.
He replied:
“There are ongoing discussions about ways we can support people who are going to bring fantastic green technology into this country.
“Obviously they’re confidential, but this is something that is a massive benefit to the UK economy.
“Nissan is going to be taking about 900 jobs alone in the battery giga factory, a further 750, plus thousands potentially in the supply chains.
“But what it’s also doing is helping to lengthen the lead of this country in green low-carbon technology.
“And by increasing the number of batteries we can make in the UK, increasing the number of electric vehicles we can make, all those economies of scale we’re going to need so that the price of EVs comes down and they become more affordable for families than petrol vehicles and certainly diesel vehicles, and that will happen I think far quicker than people are currently expecting.”
