Nissan Cleared for Expansion of Sunderland Plant to Build Infiniti Models

NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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will begin the $388 million (£250 million) expansion of its Sunderland factory in the UK in a few weeks to begin building InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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cars for 2015. The Sunderland City Council granted approval for the expansion on September 4. It will be the first time that Infiniti cars will be built in Europe.

The expansion will add 270,000 square-feet (25,000 square meters) to the factory for new body presses and assembly. It will create 1,000 new jobs between the factory and suppliers. 

"The Q30 ConceptInfiniti Q30Japan, 2014 > present signals the next step in our strategy to significantly extend into new premium segments - and the production car will fully deliver on the concept's promise. The compact segment is crucial for our future growth plans and the decision to invest and build the vehicle in the UK further underlines our long term commitment to Europe," said Fintan Knight, vice president of Infiniti Europe.

The Sunderland factory is already the largest automotive factory in the UK. It built 500,000 cars in 2012.