AUTOMOTIVE workers in north east England breathed a sigh of relief yesterday after Nissan announced its new model would be built in Sunderland.

The Japanese firm is investing £100 million in building its new Juke model at the site, which employs 6,700 people and creates supply-side work for tens of thousands more.

Nissan said the move would secure the firm as the “undisputed leader” in building crossover cars — a mix of standard passenger vehicles and four-by-fours.

Unite union assistant general secretary Tony Burke offered a “warm welcome” to Nissan for keeping Juke production in Britain.

“The decision demonstrates the confidence the industry has in a highly skilled and dedicated workforce across the UK automotive industry and is a tribute to the close working relationship between management and unions built up over the last decade,” he said.

“This news is another vote of confidence in the continuing renaissance of the British car industry.”

Nissan Europe chairman Paul Wilcox said: “This announcement gives security to our Sunderland plant beyond 2020, which the team has earned through many years of hard work and their ability to continually raise the bar on quality.

“With the next generation Juke now confirmed for future production, customers can be assured that Nissan is going to remain the benchmark in the crossover segment for many years to come.”

In a classic jump for the bandwagon, Chancellor George Osborne attempted to use the announcement to rescue his flagging vision of a “Northern Powerhouse.”

“This announcement is an important sign of Britain being chosen as a global leader in car production,” he purred.

conradlandin@peoples-press.com