Nissan’s boss all but committed car firm’s post-Brexit future in the UK after crunch talks with Theresa May
Downing Street showdown comes a fortnight after car giant chief Carlos Ghosn warned the PM the company would need'compensation' for any tariff outside the EU
CAR giant Nissan has all-but committed its future to post-Brexit Britain in a huge boost for Theresa May and thousands of workers.
After crunch talks at No.10, Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn said he was “confident” the Prime Minister would ensure the UK remained competitive on the global stage.
The statement paves the way for Nissan to build its next generation Qashqai model at its flagship car plant in Sunderland rather than a factory on the Continent.
Sources told The Sun a decision on the mammoth Qashqai contract was due in the coming weeks.
They insisted further conversations were still needed with Downing Street.
But one insider at the Japanese firm said: “The talks were extremely positive.”
Nissan chief Carlos Ghosn sparked huge fears in Whitehall two weeks ago by warning that investment in Sunderland would hit the skids if Brexit led to the EU slapping tariffs on car exports from the UK.
He said Nissan would need “compensation” to continue splashing the cash in the north-east, where the Japanese firm employs 7,000 staff and supports 21,000 more jobs in the supply chain.
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But in a statement after the meeting Mr Ghosn said: “We want to ensure that this high performing, high employment factory remains competitive globally and continues to deliver for our business and for Britain.
“Following our productive meeting, I am confident the Government will continue to ensure the UK remains a competitive place to do business.”
He added: “I look forward to continued positive collaboration between Nissan and the UK Government.”
The meeting came at the end of the toughest week of Theresa May’s 100 days in charge.
Pro-EU business groups and MPs have slammed the Government for pursuing a so-called ‘Hard Brexit’ and calling for firms detail the proportion of international workers on their books.
Downing Street insisted the Government had not offered Nissan a deal – such as tax breaks on investment.
A No.10 source said: “It was a discussion where we made clear that we want Britain to be more open after Brexit, not less. Clearly the meeting went well.”
The Prime Minister said: “Our automotive industry is a great British success story and Nissan has been at the heart of it.
“We will continue to work with Nissan as we develop the environment for competitiveness of the automotive industry here in the UK to ensure its success.”
One in three British cars are made at Nissan in Sunderland.
Last year the factory churned out 476,589 motors with 80 per cent of production exported overseas.
It has made nearly nine million since opening in September, 1986.
Honda last month backed post Brexit-Britain with a £200 million investment at its car plant in Swindon.
Mike Hawes, chief exec of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders last night said: “We’re encouraged by the statements made by Theresa May and Carlos Ghosn today, which indicate common ground on our future EU relationship.
“UK Automotive is highly competitive but that has been based on a number of factors – critically our membership of the single market.”
Tory backbencher and Brexit-backer Steve Baker MP said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Nissan recognise the potential the UK has.”