Nissan Stops Production At UK Factory Over Coronavirus Impact
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Nissan has stopped output at Britain’s biggest car factory due to the impact from coronavirus as it assesses supply-chain disruption and the drop in demand, the most significant closure to affect the country’s autos sector so far from the outbreak.
Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port car factory in northern England is also due to close on Tuesday until March 27 as party of parent company Peugeot’s plans to shut sites across the continent to handle the crisis.
Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida says he’s happy to be fired by shareholders if there’s no sign of a turnaround at the Japanese automaker. Julian Satterthwaite reports
Nissan’s Sunderland factory in north-eastern England made nearly 350,000 out of Britain’s 1.3 million cars last year, producing the firm’s Qashqai, Juke and LEAF models.
“Further measures are currently under study as we assess supply-chain disruption and the sudden drop in market demand caused by the COVID-19 emergency,” the Japanese automaker said in a statement.
Local lawmaker Sharon Hodgson, from the opposition Labour Party, called on the government to do more to support people.
She wrote on Twitter: “40,000 people in and around my constituency rely on the plant for their livelihoods and I will do everything I can to secure them.”
Questions & Answers
Q.Which specific Nissan models are manufactured at the Sunderland plant?
Which specific Nissan models are manufactured at the Sunderland plant?
The Nissan factory in Sunderland produces the Qashqai, Juke, and LEAF models. These cars contribute significantly to Britain's overall annual car manufacturing output, with nearly 350,000 units made there last year.
Q.What is the primary reason for Nissan's decision to halt production at its UK factory?
What is the primary reason for Nissan's decision to halt production at its UK factory?
Nissan stopped production at its UK factory due to the significant impact of the coronavirus. This decision was made to address supply-chain disruption and a sudden drop in market demand caused by the COVID-19 emergency.
Q.Are other car factories in the UK also affected by similar closures?
Are other car factories in the UK also affected by similar closures?
Yes, Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port car factory is also scheduled to close from Tuesday until March 27. This closure is part of parent company Peugeot's wider plan to shut sites across the continent to manage the ongoing crisis.
Q.How many jobs in the local area are linked to Nissan's Sunderland plant?
How many jobs in the local area are linked to Nissan's Sunderland plant?
Local lawmaker Sharon Hodgson stated that approximately 40,000 people in and around her constituency rely on the Nissan plant for their livelihoods. She has pledged to secure support for these individuals.
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