The British government promised Nissan up to £80 million ($104 million) as it sought to reassure the Japanese carmaker about the future of its UK operations after the Brexit vote
The government had previously refused to detail its arrangements with Nissan(NSANF), sparking concerns that a special deal had been struck to ensure continued investment at the company’s massive plant in Sunderland. UK voters chose to leave the European Union in a referendum in June 2016.
Clark wrote in the letter that supporting carmakers would be a priority during Brexit negotiations, and that he would ensure that Nissan could continue to export to and from the European Union.
The letter makes clear that in return for the full £80 million ($104 million), Nissan would need to « allocate production » of its Qashqai and X-Trail sport utility vehicles to Sunderland. Nissan did so on October 27,2016.
« We recognize that the UK has a stake, and we are backing your continued success in Sunderland to the hilt, » Clark wrote in the letter.
Nissan on Sunday scrapped plans to build the X-Trail in Sunderland, citing uncertainty over Brexit as one reason for the decision.
