Nissan jobs revived as buyers return

Jun 9 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal

NISSAN is creating 100 jobs because of growing demand for its cars kick-started by the UK scrappage scheme.

The Sunderland plant is taking on the manufacturing staff on a four-month contract until September following last month’s decision to create 150 temporary jobs on the back of similar initiatives already operating on the Continent.

The Japanese car group aims to recruit the temporary staff from among the 1,200 people made redundant from the Washington factory earlier this year, when the company was hit by the plummeting demand that has undermined the motor industry worldwide.

The UK scheme – announced in April’s Budget – means the owners of cars at least 10 years old can trade them in for £2,000 towards the cost of a new model.

The most popular cars with scrappage scheme customers are smaller, cheaper-to-run models such as Nissan’s Note and Micra. The additional temporary staff will be making these models as Nissan ramps up its production by 18,000 vehicles between now and September.

Nissan’s deputy managing director at Sunderland Kevin Fitzpatrick said: “The short term spike in demand being delivered by all scrappage incentives is providing a valuable shot in the arm during a difficult period.

“Sunderland models – particularly smaller cars like Note and Micra – are proving very popular with scrappage customers, and although the market remains highly volatile, we welcome this further opportunity to add to our workforce.”