2011 proves record-breaking year for Nissan plant

(ANDREW YATES/AFP/Getty Images)

A UK car plant had a record-breaking year in 2011, it was announced today.

The Nissan plant in Sunderland in north east England made a total of 480,485 vehicles last year.

That beat the company's previous record of 423,262 set in 2010 when Sunderland became the first UK plant to exceed the 400,000 mark.

The 2011 figures for Sunderland reflected the first full year of production of the Juke model as well as 24-hour production of the Qashqai and Qashqai+2.

In 2011, the Sunderland plant turned out 244,298 Qashqais, 56,979 Qashqai+2s, 132,606 Jukes and 46,602 units of the Nissan Note.

The number of jobs at Sunderland also reached an all-time high, with 5,462 people directly employed on site.

Last year also saw the production, in January, of the plant's six millionth vehicle.

Nissan's UK manufacturing vice president Kevin Fitzpatrick said: "Our 25th anniversary year will go down in UK car production history and all our staff can be proud of the many milestones we have passed.

"Our 26th year promises to be equally exciting, as we launch the new battery plant at Sunderland and prepare the plant for production of the 100%Nissan Leaf alongside the Qashqai, Juke and Note."

Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: "Many congratulations to the Nissan team for achieving record-breaking production volumes.

"They demonstrate the strength of UK automotive manufacturing which continues to buck the economic trend, outperforming 2010 by an anticipated 6%."

He went on: "2011 saw the UK attract a remarkable level of investment, with global vehicle manufacturers committing in excess of £4 billion to plants and facilities securing future model production and employment.

"Despite the uncertainty within the eurozone, there is real confidence in the future of UK manufacturing and it will make an increasing contribution to exports, economic growth and employment in the coming years."