Nissan factory closures unclear

MAYOR PREDICTS 'STRONG FUTURE' FOR SUNDERLAND PLANT

- DANIEL HOLLAND

MAJOR job cuts and factory closures have sparked new questions over the future of Sunderland’s Nissan plant.

The car manufacturer has announced more huge cost-cutting measures that will see seven of its 17 factories worldwide shut down.

It comes after the Japanese firm, which employs around 6,000 on Wearside, released new financial results for 2024 showing a £3.4 billion loss.

At this stage it has not been confirmed which Nissan locations will be closed or how the Sunderland plant, which is a cornerstone of the North East economy, will be affected.

Local leaders have been optimistic about the long-term security of the factory, with North East Combined Authority (NECA) chief executive Henry Kippin predicting last December that it would be here “for a long time to come”.

North East mayor Kim McGuinness expressed confidence on Tuesday about the future of the Sunderland factory, which is also vital to thousands of other jobs across the region in Nissan's supply chain.