Nissan workforce tops table

The factory topped the table of more than 40 plants across the continent, with workers producing 95 cars each in 2001.

Toyota's Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, was second in the study with an average output of about 87 cars per employee, according to a survey by the World Markets Research Centre.

During 2001 Nissan averaged about 4,500 employees, with 3,122 staff on assembly lines and the construction of 296,000 cars.

When the Wearside plant was first recognised as Europe's most productive in 1996, the total cars per employee was just 73.

Toyota's plant in Derbyshire tied for second place with Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany.

Nissan's UK managing director John Cushnaghan said he was "delighted" with the results and thanked staff.

"Once again I would like to pay tribute to all of our employees for their efforts and flexibility in producing yet another strong performance, and also to the strength of our relationships with our suppliers," he said.

Nissan expects to produce 300,000 cars in 2002 and will start manufacturing the new Micra model in November.