Engineering news
Nissan is to launch a temporary third production shift at its manufacturing plant in Sunderland in response to continuing demand for the Qashqai model, the company said today.
The Sunderland factory produced more than 330,000 cars last year, more than a third of the UK’s total, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Nissan said: “Throughout 2009 the plant has been working hard to satisfy orders on two shifts, but sales of the popular Qashqai crossover have now reached levels where demand is outstripping supply.”
Trevor Mann, Nissan senior vice president for manufacturing, Europe, said: “[The] Qashqai continues to buck the trend of a generally depressed market, and we have now identified the need for an additional shift to cover a high volume request in the first half of the 2010 financial year.”
An updated version of the Qashqai is due to go on sale in March. Nissan said a nightshift will be added to the Qashqai production line from May. “Although the market will dictate how long the nightshift remains in operation, it is expected to be maintained for around six months.”
Recruitment will begin next month for 400 new fixed-term manufacturing posts at the plant and allow retention of 160 temporary staff. “It is anticipated that additional posts will also be created across Nissan’s supply chain,” the Japanese carmaker said.
Nissan first implemented a temporary nightshift at Sunderland in June 2008 to satisfy demand for the Qashqai. This was withdrawn last January in response to the global economic crisis.The company is forecasting Qashqai sales of more than 200,000 for this financial year.
The Qashqai was created at Nissan’s design studio in Paddington, London, developed at its technical centre in Cranfield, Hertfordshire and is manufactured in Sunderland.
Since its sales launch in March 2007, more than half a million units have been sold across Europe, and the model accounted for 60% of the Sunderland plant’s 2009 total production volume of 338,000 cars.
This figure saw the plant recently recognised as the UK’s largest car producer for the 12th year running, Nissan said.
Trevor Mann added: “As in 2008 the 3rd shift will be a temporary measure, but it will provide a welcome boost to the plant, our suppliers and the manufacturing sector in the North East during what is forecast to be another tough year for the car industry.”