Nissan production staff in UK sent home
Car giant Nissan sent home its 3,500 production staff in Britain yesterday and will not re-open its plant in northern England until Monday because of declining sales, a spokeswoman said today.
The manufacturer said it expected to shut down its line in Sunderland for six days between now and Christmas.
When staff are not working at Europe’s most productive car plant, they will be given training or allowed home leave.
Nissan makes its successful Qashqai and Notes model at Sunderland, but sales have slumped like those across the motor industry.
The car giant hoped production would return to normal in the New Year, and that staff would remain on full pay, without the need for redundancies.
A spokeswoman said: “The economic crisis continues to significantly affect all car makers globally, and it is essential that Sunderland continues taking the right action now to protect the future of the company by matching volume to softening customer demand.
“Business conditions remain highly volatile and Sunderland will continue to take any appropriate action if and when needed.”
