Mandy's hopes of bringing new power and jobs to the region
Jul 15 2009 By The Journal
BUSINESS Secretary Lord Mandelson yesterday declared he was "hopeful" that car giant Nissan will choose the North East to build electric vehicles.
Speaking to The Journal, Lord Mandelson, revealed he has been working "very closely" with the Washington-based company to persuade it to invest in the region after visiting its local plant in March.
Such a development could secure thousands of jobs for the region with demand for electric cars predicted to soar as consumers switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles.
Nissan has already signalled its Washington plant is a "strong contender" to build the next generation of electric vehicles amid speculation of an imminent announcement.
Regional Minister Nick Brown said news could come "shortly" as he praised the huge efforts to secure the "generational changing" investment for the North East.
The developments come as The Journal campaigns for a transformation of the region’s economy with green electric vehicles seen as a key growth area through the Great North Revolution campaign.
Lord Mandelson said: "Ever since I went to Nissan in Sunderland earlier this year, I have been working very closely, very hard with the company to make sure that they decide in Britain’s favour to place their investment in our country and in the North East."
He added the decision was "very, very important" to secure manufacturing in Britain because of the need to invest in the future and not the past.
"We have to invest in electric vehicles, electric batteries and those are going to be the source of demand, production and jobs in the future.
"And that is why we are working very hard to secure that investment in Britain.
"I am hopeful but not yet sure that Nissan’s decision will be favourable," said Lord Mandelson.
North East Minister Nick Brown said he had been impressed by the work of the Business Department and local development agency to attract such important investment to the region.
"If it comes off, it will be a once in a lifetime generational changing investment. I am hoping for an announcement shortly," added Mr Brown.
The potential production of electric cars in the region comes as plans to install charging points at supermarkets and shopping centres across the North East move ahead.
More than 750 stations will be opened over the next two years as part of development agency One North East’s £30m plan to base the country’s future car industry in the region.
Charging points will be installed at locations including Gateshead’s MetroCentre and Eldon Square in Newcastle, as well as at Tesco supermarket complexes. The first 40 are already being installed on Tyneside.
The plans have been drawn up as the region moves towards a low-carbon economy - potentially creating thousands of jobs and safeguarding thousands more over the next decade.
