Bonzodog

Nissan to close Spanish plants and move HQ and production to Sunderland.

https://www.express.co.uk/…/nissan-sunderland-uk-car-indust…

Not quite what was forecast after Brexit by dreary Remainers on here.

Some very unhappy bunnies in Barcelona, judging by their actions.

Fredbargate

Joppa

But there is a sting in the tail:
'The closure is part of Nissan’s drive to become profitable again after posting net losses in the last fiscal year. The carmaker is also reinforcing its alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi, and planning to leave the European market to Renault while Nissan focuses on Japan, China and North America.' El Pais
Renault has no production facilities in UK, though it's possible that it may use Nissan's Sunderland plant to make Renault cars.
Nissan will retain Spanish production facilities in Cantabria and Avila.
But with possible (probable?) no deal at the year's end, UK production facilities will face serious challenges, as they are used mainly to make cars for the European continent.

olivefarmer

There are quite a few factors at play here.

There is a worldwide slump for new cars.

Corona virus has created a recession and is a perfect get out of jail card for any government. For example if Brexit doesn't go well then CV19 will be the scapegoat.

Looking closer to home, Macron has pledged an astonishing 8billion for the French car industry. To move towards more electric cars. Laudable but isn't it anti EU competition to support home industries? Renault is in trouble but then so is Nissan (Ghosn's push into emerging markets was a costly flop).The car industry is very susceptible to recession.

Spain has a massive car industry and the loss of any jobs (3000 and many more indirectly) is another blow. Maybe they ought to retool and make pushbikes and electric scooters.

Chatter Static

Renault announced 16k job losses today 4k of them in France, Personally I think the only way to save the auto industry as a whole at the moment is for governments in the EU to back interest free loans for people to purchase electric vehicles it would be a big incentive and kill a few birds with one stone. Obviously pump money into improving the charging infrastructurewould creare jobs as well.

olivefarmer

Some of Macron's 8 billion is in the form of cashback if you buy electric.

I think a few countries have entertained the idea of giving everyone 1000 to spend to kickstart the economy. The only proviso is that you spend it. Not sure how you would police that!

It is a golden once in a generation, opportunity for blue sky thinking. I was quite depressed this morning thinking about local (UK ) councils having a shortfall and either bumping up rates or drastically cutting service.

Fred James

Simple, issue vouchers with an expiry date.

Retired in Euskadi

The French, despite being in the EU, have always protected number 1, whether illegal or not. That's why you see more French cars in France than foreign ones; they have made life difficult to import foreign cars by placing the import customs clearance centre right in the middle of France, at Poitiers, not near a port or similar.
Despite what the EU commissars might wish, Europe is still a continent of 27 states, not a single one with 27 different cultures.

missile

bumping up rates, council tax and cutting services, while pals of Dom and Doris are awarded lucrative contracts with zero oversight.

olivefarmer

Very funny