Nissan welcomes measures to boost automotive sector

TOP EXEC HAILS 'FANTASTIC START' IN SUPPORT FROM GOVERNMENT

- By TOM KEIGHLEY Business writer [e-mail]

THE boss of Nissan's Sunderland plant has welcomed a series of Government measures intended to bolster the beleaguered UK automotive sector.

Adam Pennick, Nissan's vice president of manufacturing in the UK, spoke at an event to mark the start of production of the new Leaf model at the Wearside plant.

Nissan has invested millions in launching the third generation Leaf at a time when it faces serious financial headwinds that have prompted it to scale back its global business, closing seven factories and shedding 20,000 jobs.

Mr Pennick - who was responding to Business and Trade Minister Chris McDonald at the event - said a collaborative effort between the Japanese giant and the Government was needed to maintain UK competitiveness.

He said: "The path towards EV was always going to be a challenge. We certainly welcome the measures that have been put forward, including the investment and the EV grant - which is really, really, what we needed for ourselves and our supply chain, and for the customers in making that journey.