Luke Myer MP recently visited Nissan’s UK Manufacturing Facility in Washington, where he highlighted the immense contribution the plant makes to the North East’s economy and its pivotal role in the UK automotive industry. With over 6,000 people directly employed at the facility and more than 30,000 in the wider supply chain, Luke emphasised the importance of supporting such major employers to secure the future of the region.

Speaking about the visit, Luke said, “Nissan is a cornerstone of our local economy, not only providing thousands of high-quality jobs but also driving innovation and sustainability in the automotive sector. The EV36Zero hub here in Sunderland is a game-changer, creating hundreds of skilled green jobs and putting the North East at the forefront of electric vehicle production. It is vital that we continue to back initiatives like this to ensure our region remains at the heart of UK industry.”

During the visit, Luke was able to see first-hand how the plant is transitioning to electric vehicle manufacturing while striving to decarbonise its operations. Nissan’s EV36Zero hub represents a £1.12 billion investment in the production of all-electric vehicles, such as the Qashqai and Juke models, and is supported by the UK’s first gigafactory, which will supply the batteries.

Luke reaffirmed his determination to support opportunities that safeguard high-quality, sustainable jobs in the region, ensuring the North East continues to lead the way in cutting-edge, green manufacturing.