Established

1984

Nissan and HM Government sign an agreement to build a car plant in the UK. Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd established.

1986

First Nissan Bluebird for commercial sale produced at Sunderland.

1990

Production of Nissan Primera began, Bluebird ended.

1992

Total investment in NMUK reached £900 million – the largest single Japanese inward investment in Europe.  Plant becomes two car production facility with the start of Micra production.  Total plant production reached 500,000 vehicles.

1993

Nissan received second successive Queen’s Award for Export Achievement. Nissan presented with RSA Environmental Award for its “excellence of environmental management” for the production of the Micra.

1994

Nissan awarded a Gold Award for excellence in occupational health and safety by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

1995

One millionth vehicle produced. One millionth engine completed.

1998

Production of The New Primera Estate began. Nissan become the first company to receive the Health at Work award for a second consecutive year. Received ISO14001 environmental management certification.

1998

Millionth Micra built – the first Japanese manufacturer in Europe to reach this landmark. Millionth Primera also built.

2000

Plant becomes three model production facility with the start of New Almera production.

2001

Production of next generation Primera begins, and ramps-up to full production in 5.4 weeks.

2002

Production of new Micra begins, with ramp-up of 5 weeks.

2003

World Markets Research Centre identifies plant as the most productive in Europe for seventh consecutive year. Record production year for NMUK, as 331,924 vehicles are built.

2004

Millionth car produced for the UK market.

2005

Micra C+C goes into production.  Six wind turbines are installed and begin to generate power.

2006

NOTE production begins and Almera production ends.  The sixth model to be built at the plant, the Qashqai, begins production.

2007

Exports started of QASHQAI and C+C to Japan and Primera production ends. Nissan announces the construction of a £4.5 million Parts Logistic Centre

2008

Four more wind turbines are installed, taking total to ten.  5 millionth car is built.  Record production year - 386,555 units.

Sunderland Plant receives Queen’s Award for Export.

SMMT identify Nissan Sunderland Plant as the biggest UK car plant for the twelfth year running, and the biggest UK car exporter for the tenth year in a row.

Sunderland Plant announces the intention to re-instate the third production shift in response to continuing demand for Qashqai, which will create 400 temporary jobs.

Sunderland Plants new model, the Nissan Juke is unveiled to the global media at a special event in Paris.

Micra 88,429
(inc C+C)
NOTE 50,880
Qashqai 198,841
(inc QQ+2)

Year end
December

Total cumulative
investment (£million)

Total number of employees

Production for UK market

Production
for export market

Total
production

1986

£50

470

5,139

n/a

5,139

1987

£394

1,100

28,797

n/a

28,797

1988

£610

1,800

45,664

11,080

56,744

1989

£610

2,500

42,827

34,164

76,991

1990

£670

2,700

16,284

59,955

76,367

1991

£670

3,000

12,592

112,072

124,664

1992

£900

4,600

21,770

157,285

179,055

1993

£900

4,250

64,091

182,194

246,285

1994

£1,000

4,076

71,949

133,246

205,195

1995

£1,250

4,038

54,131

161,215

215,462

1996

£1,250

4,133

64,368

167,259

231,627

1997

£1,290

4,179

65,145

206,639

272,045

1998

£1,505

4,141

73,619

215,219

288,746

1999

£1,558

5,032

70,610

200,547

271,175

2000

£1,614

4,878

75,951

251,750

327,792

2001

£1,800

4,900

80,905

215,412

296,317

2002

£2,010

4,700

88,561

209,158

297,719

2003

£2,071

4,450

80,258

251,666

331,924

2004

£2,150

4,125

66,893

252,759

319,652

2005

£2,331

4,437

62,250

253,047

315,297

2006

£2,444

4,223

54,205

247,006

301,211

2007

£2,444

4,274

57,717

296,001

353,718

2008

£2,449

4,850

58,579

327,976

386,555

2009

£2,449

4,163

68,159

269,991

338,150

All figures are correct, year end 2009

TOTALS:

1,330,464

4,215,641

5,546,627