Infiniti to cease operations at Sunderland plant
Firm’s ‘restructuring plan’ will see production end and UK dealerships close
Infiniti has announced that it will stop production of its Q30 and QX30 models at its Sunderland facility as part of a new ‘restructuring plan’.
The Nissan premium subsidiary announced today its decision to close its operations in Western Europe to focus its efforts in North America and China where market share continues to grow.
Steve McLennan, head of Infiniti Europe, said: “The commercial reality for Infiniti in Western Europe is that there is simply no visibility of a viable and sustainable business either currently or in the years to come.”
Production at the UK plant will cease in July, according to the manufacturer.
The plans will, according to Infiniti, have no impact on its operations in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Asia, however.
The brand has said this restructuring plan includes ambitions to electrify its range of cars from 2021 and discontinue all diesel offerings.
McLennan added that “the decision taken to withdraw Infiniti operations from Western Europe was extremely difficult to take”.
In its statement, Infiniti said that it is ‘working to find alternative opportunities for any employees who would be affected’.
Its dealerships will stay open until early next year, however, to work through a transition. Infiniti has stated that it is already working on an aftersales plan, ensuring that existing customers are catered for in terms of servicing and repairs.
Around 300 people work on the Infiniti production line at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, out of a total of around 7000 workers. Infiniti is planning to find ‘alternative opportunities’ for those affected.
This news follows the announcement from Honda that it will be closing its Swindon plant in 2021, resulting in the loss of 3,000 UK jobs.
