Wearside hopes to win Almera contract

Wearside hopes to win Almera contract

The Sunderland plant is the most productive in Europe

There are hopes that a car manufacturing plant in the north-east of England can secure a new contract which would mean future work its 4,600 staff.

The managing director of the Nissan plant in the UK, Colin Dodge, is to fly out to Japan to convince executives to build the new Almera in Sunderland.

The company has said it is investigating its options, and that the UK plant is welcome to pitch for new business.

The Wearside plant is bidding to bring work on the new Almera car to the Sunderland plant from 2005.

Two years ago the factory faced a similar situation, when it successfully won the contract to build the new Micra.

Nissan in Sunderland makes 260,000 Primeras, Micras, and Almeras a year, and has been the most productive car plant in Europe for the last six years.

'Investigating options'

A spokesman for the company told BBC News Online: "It is standard practice for Nissan UK to pitch for new business.

"Nissan UK is in a strong position to do this, thanks to its skilled workforce and its record of productivity.

"As is always the case, production location decisions are taken following a full analysis of the projected profit levels, taking into account all risks and opportunities.

"Nissan is currently investigating its options in the Almera sector. No decisions have yet been made and none are imminent."

In March, the plant saw 60 job losses which the company said had only been created as temporary posts to help with the Micra launch.