Nissan jobs revived as buyers return
Jun 9 2009 by Karen Dent, The Journal
Motor industry expert Prof Garel Rhys, of Cardiff University Business School, says Nissan is one of the few companies making cars in the UK to benefit from the scrappage scheme.
He said: “It’s entirely predictable because it’s [the Micra] about the only car built in Britain that people taking part in the scrappage scheme would want. The cost of changing is just about bridgeable. The only other mini made in the UK [BMW’s Mini] is too expensive. With £1,000 in your hand you are going to buy a mini or a supermini. There is only one really attainable one made in Britain – that’s the Micra.”
He said 84% of cars sold in Britain were imported and because UK car makers tend to manufacture medium and larger vehicles, the domestic industry would see little overall benefit from the initiative.
There are about 7.1m vehicles in the UK eligible for scrappage, but analysis by Experian suggests in reality, the owners of just 1.5m of these cars can afford to take part.
However, Nissan is one of the winners from similar schemes being run Europe-wide. According to figures for May, it sold 4,562 vehicles last month – down just 7% on last year in a market which had dropped by 25%.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders statistics also show a Nissan in the top 10 selling models for the first time when the Qashqai entered the list.
