The boss of Nissan's Sunderland plant has welcomed a series of Government measures intended to bolster the beleaguered º£½ÇÊÓƵ automotive sector. Adam Pennick, Nissan's vice president of manufacturing in the º£½ÇÊÓƵ, spoke at an event to mark the 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 º£½ÇÊÓƵ competitiveness.
He said: "The path towards 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.
"He also spoke there about the Industrial Strategy and the important behind that. That's where we've got to continue the collaboration - turning the Industrial Strategy from what it is into action, real action. That's for ourselves and the full automotive industry.
"We have regular meetings through the Society of Motor Manufacturers and the Automotive Council, to work together with all the other OEMs and the Government, to make sure we're all on the correct journey."
Mr McDonald, who was formerly CEO of the Materials Processing Institute in the North East, spoke at a gathering of senior Nissan executives at the Sunderland plant. He highlighted measures the Government is taking to support manufacturers, saying the sector is symptomatic of the health of the entire º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy
The Stockton North MP said: "My priority as Minister for Industry is to maximise the º£½ÇÊÓƵ's productive capacity, increase manufacturing output and contribute to our balance of trade. And everybody who is working here at Nissan is helping to do that, helping to power the º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy every single day.
"I know for the automotive industry that times have been challenging over the last few years but there is cause for optimism. There are various things that the Government is doing to work with the automotive sector so that we can increase our productivity here at Nissan and across the whole of industry.
"Just yesterday, I had a meeting with Motability º£½ÇÊÓƵ - who order all of the Motability vehicles - to ask them what more they can do to support British manufacturing. They plan to increase º£½ÇÊÓƵ bought vehicles significantly over the next decade with 50% of their cars being º£½ÇÊÓƵ built by 2035 - immediately an additional 20,000 units into next year, which I know will make a difference for manufacturers including Nissan."
Mr McDonald also highlighted a new trade deal with South Korea and a new fund for automotive businesses in the North East as examples of support the Government is providing for the automotive sector.
He said: "I announced a couple of weeks ago a consultation on our British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme so that by 2027, we'll see a 25% reduction in electricity costs for British manufacturers through our advanced manufacturing plan. And we'll do even more over the coming weeks and months because the car industry is symptomatic of the health of the entire º£½ÇÊÓƵ economy and what is good for Nissan and for Sunderland, is good for the North East of England and for the whole of Britain."
