The Japanese car maker has announced it has produced 150 million vehicles globally, including more than 9 million built at the UK plant in Sunderland.
When Nissan reached the 100 million-milestone in 2006, 76.5% of the total vehicles had been produced in Japan.
Localisation of production accelerated in the past 11 years, during which 76.5% of the 50 million Nissan vehicles were made outside Japan – with 13% made in Europe.
Total production for the UK is now over 9 million vehicles, and the combined total for all three countries sites has now surpassed 13 million vehicles.
The 150 million milestone has been reached as Nissan prepares to launch the new Nissan LEAF in Europe, where trial production is already under way in Nissan’s UK plant.
Earlier this year Nissan had announced a £4bn capital investment in its facilities in Sunderland. Additionally, Nissan spends £3bn annually in the British economy through suppliers, services and wages.
Employment supported by Nissan’s UK design studio (Paddington, London), technical centre (Cranfield Bedfordshire), manufacturing plant (Sunderland, Tyne and Wear) and sales and marketing operations (Maple Cross, Hertfordshire) now totals more than 40,000.
In Europe Nissan has been manufacturing in Spain and in the UK for more than 30 years, and established its plant in St. Petersburg, Russia, more than 10 years ago.
Colin Lawther, Nissan Europe’s senior vice president for manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain, said: “In every part of our operations, we are adapting to the impact of growing automation and data management – whether inside our vehicles, in our local dealerships, in our plants and all throughout our supply chain relationships.
“This forms part of our Nissan Intelligent Mobility strategy, which is harnessing emerging automotive technologies to move people to a better world.”
Nissan sees this achievement as the result of 84 years of continued support from all of its stakeholders worldwide, including employees, dealers, suppliers and local communities, as well as the numerous customers who have chosen cars produced by Nissan.
