Overview
- Nissan, which briefed staff Tuesday, began consultations to reduce about 10% of its Europe workforce and to combine Sunderland’s two lines into one.
- Manufacturing roles at the UK plant are expected to stay, with Leaf, Juke and Qashqai sharing a single line that is due to run three shifts in the second half of 2026.
- Nissan also outlined a partial closure of its Barcelona parts warehouse and a move to an importer model in Nordic markets, with Spanish unions warning many cuts could fall in Spain.
- The consolidation frees capacity that could be used by an outside manufacturer, with media reporting talks with China’s Chery and Dongfeng, though no agreement has been announced.
- Sunderland employs about 6,000 and recently received a £450m EV upgrade, yet the plant has been underused as sales soften and Chinese brands gain share across Europe.