The boss of Nissan has said future decisions about the car giant’s Sunderland plant will depend on the outcome of Brexit negotiations.
The Japanese manufacturer employs 6,700 people at its Wearside plant, with another 30,000 in the supply chain employed elsewhere in the North East.
Mr Ghosn told the BBC: “Well I don’t think today you can talk about any impact before we see what is the new status of the UK. The question of Sunderland – Sunderland is a plant which is a European plant based in the UK.
“Most of the production out of Sunderland is exported to Europe.
“So obviously for us the relationship which is going to prevail between the UK and Europe is very important. So the future investment decisions are going to depend a lot into … Okay, the UK is out of Europe. Fine. But what’s going to be the new status?”
The Nissan boss added that “most companies” will be waiting to see what happens before making decisions about investments.
Despite this, Carlos Ghosn said: “We’re reasonably optimistic that at the end of the day common sense is going to prevail from both sides, that as many people said, UK will still continue to be a big partner of the European community.
“The question … what’s going to happen in terms of customs, what’s going to happen in terms of trade, what’s going to happen in terms of circulation of particularly of the products.
“All of these are very sensitive elements that are going to determine how and how much we are going to invest in the UK particularly for the European market.”
More than six out of 10 people who voted, opted to leave the EU despite warnings from Nissan about the consequences of Brexit.
Nissan declined to comment on the British people’s choice and the implications at the time.
However, the car manufacturing company previously made it clear Remain was its preferred option for jobs and trade.
A spokesman for the North East Chamber of Commerce said: “It will be a decision for Nissan to take but what we want to see is action from government during the Brexit negotiations to ensure the North East does not lose out as a result of any new arrangements.
“Nissan is a huge player in the region and makes up a huge part of our exports and we need to see long-term investor confidence in the North East and to be seen as a desirable location for exporters.
“What government can do is help to support business confidence in the region to ensure we are able to invest in skills.”
Paul Watson, leader of Sunderland City Council added: “Nissan is in Sunderland because it wants and needs to be in the European market and the threat to it is the uncertainty until the UK and European Union negotiate trade deals,” he said.
“My worry and fear is that automotive manufacturing in the North East of England might not be a priority for the UK Government compared to financial services and the interests of the City of London when negotiations get under way.
“We need to be looking at the uncertainty with the UK Government on its negotiating and trade priorities, not necessarily with Nissan.”