NISSAN has rejected a claim that it is to close its Washington factory in the wake of Brexit.
The plant, which employs over 7,000 people, is a cornerstone of the North East economy and has been a major Brexit talking point since the referendum in 2016.
Social media comment yesterday, following an article in the German auto-trade magazine ‘Automobilwoche’, suggested that the car manufacturer had “plans to close its Sunderland plant” and that “a decision has been made and it’s not favourable for the UK”.
+UPDATE+
"Nissan to close Sunderland plant."
According to the leading Auto trade journal 'Automobilwoche' reporting a Nissan manager.
"Nissan plans to close its Sunderland plant….A decision has been made and it’s not favourable for the UK". pic.twitter.com/nmho5i5rrV
— Nick🇬🇧🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@nicktolhurst) November 23, 2020
However, Nissan released a short statement today, which said: “”These rumours are not true.”
The Brexit process has continually raised question marks over Nissan’s viability, and in June 2020, the company’s chief operating officer, Ashwani Gupta, said: “You know we are the number one carmaker in the UK and we want to continue.
“We are committed. Having said that, if we aren’t getting the current tariffs, it’s not our intention, but the business will not be sustainable. That’s what everybody has to understand”.
However, since then Nissan have confirmed that they are going to be building the new hybrid Qashqai vehicle at the plant.