Nissan has welcomed the new UK Automotive Industrial Strategy, announced by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable.

John Martin, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, said: “Nissan was involved with the UK Government in developing the UK Automotive Industrial Strategy which is being published today. As the largest car manufacturer in the history of the UK motor industry we are fully committed to supporting its implementation.

“The leadership and support from the Government at all levels in developing the strategy has been fantastic and has really helped to understand and prioritise the long term issues that the nation and the industry have to tackle to maintain the UK’s leadership in vehicle and engine manufacturing.

“The Automotive strategy follows hot on the heels of the recently launched Aerospace Industrial Strategy. Both are unique within Europe and both are a great example of industry and Government working together to address common issues and foster growth.

“Over the next two years Nissan will have invested more than £1bn in the UK to support our innovative and exciting new model range including Qashqai, Juke, Note and the 100% electric Nissan LEAF. Our workforce recently went over 6,000 for the very first time to support a planned increased in production to beyond 550,000 cars per year in the near future.”

Nissan is represented on the Automotive Council by John Martin, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, and by Jerry Hardcastle OBE, Global Chief Marketability Engineer.