Unite has welcomed Nissan’s plans for joint car production with China’s part state-owned Chery at its Sunderland plant. It says the joint venture safeguards some 6,000 jobs in Britain.
Steve Bush, Unite national officer, said, “This is very good news for Nissan’s Sunderland workers and the UK’s automotive industry in general at a time of uncertainty for the sector. Chinese vehicles are increasingly visible on British roads so it makes sense for UK workers to build them here as well.”
This is something of a turnaround by Unite. Members had previously voiced fears of a Chinese takeover and potential dependence on China, which is able to undercut European manufacturers with its state subsidies and dominance in the EV battery industry.
Sunderland is Britain’s largest car factory and it is also Nissan’s sole European plant. It would mean beginning mass-market Chinese car production in Britain for the first time in 2027.
A plug-in hybrid EV – the Jaecoo 7 built in China – became the top-selling model in Britain last March. The EU Commission proposes a “Made in Europe” label designed to lock out imports. It remains to be seen whether that would impact British car production as well.
Nissan has already been affected by the downturn in EV sales in Europe since the pandemic, which led to reduced production at Sunderland. In a show of commitment, Chery has opened an R&D European HQ for commercial vehicles in Liverpool.
This could pave the way for Jaguar Land Rover, weakened by a cyber attack, to build its EVs. The Labour government has chosen to downplay the proposal.