Geneva Motor Show: Nissan INVITATION

Nissan has revealed a head-turning hatchback concept car at the Geneva Motor Show and announced that the car - called INVITATION - will go into production next year and be built at the Sunderland plant in the UK.

The model will be built alongside the highly popular Juke crossover and will compete within the core mainstream B-segment.

In addition to vehicle assembly – Sunderland will carry out axle production, cylinder head casting, camshaft machining and engine assembly, representing an overall investment of £125 million by Nissan in the UK.

The project is also supported by a £9.3m investment grant offer from the UK Government's Regional Growth Fund.

It is anticipated the new model will have an initial annual volume of around 100,000 units depending on market demand. This will help to cement Sunderland as the largest car plant in the UK – a position it has held for the last 14 years.

In 2011, the plant’s 25th Anniversary year, Sunderland set a new production record with more than 480,000 units rolling off the lines.

As well as playing a key role in Nissan’s market expansion within Europe, the new model will also have a significant benefit in terms of jobs with around 2,000 new posts created at Nissan and amongst its UK supplier base.

This includes 400 new Nissan hires at the Sunderland Plant increasing its overall workforce to around 6,000 – its highest ever.

Trevor Mann, Nissan Senior Vice President for Manufacturing in Europe, said: “This plant has a 20-year heritage in producing successful compact cars stretching back to the first Micra rolling off the line in 1992.

“I’m delighted that Sunderland has secured what will be another very important model for Nissan in Europe. It is a testament to the workforce, the ongoing support from the UK Government and all of our regional partners and suppliers.

“The additional volume will maintain Sunderland as the country’s largest car plant and we expect and look forward to a very busy future.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “It is fantastic news that Nissan will be building the new model in Sunderland. The investment is a boost for jobs at Nissan’s plant as well as the wider supply chain.

“This latest announcement highlights the UK’s track record of attracting inward investment. Global vehicle manufacturers are beating a path to the UK’s door. They recognise that the Government values the automotive sector.