Nissan could abandon the EU and expand its operations within the UK to urge a competitive advantage after Brexit

Nissan 'could ABANDON the EU and expand operations within the UK' after Brexit to urge a 'competitive advantage'

Nissan said to be considering axing EU operations if tariffs applied after Brexit

Instead it could build up Sunderland plant and check out to seize more UK market share

Firm insists it doesn't have contingency plan and it wants smooth trade deal

Nissan could abandon the EU and expand its operations within the UK to urge a competitive advantage after Brexit, it had been claimed today.

The Japanese company has reportedly involved plans to 'double down' on its presence in Britain if tariffs are introduced across the Channel next year.

The move is meant to capitalise on higher costs of other car manufacturers - with suggestions Nissan could find yourself selling fourfold as many vehicles within the UK as a result.

According to the Financial Times, the scenario - one among variety of options being considered - would see plants in Barcelona and France closed down.

Instead, production in Sunderland would be ramped up.

Nissan has reportedly involved plans to 'double down' on its presence in Sunderland (pictured) if tariffs are introduced across the Channel next year

The tactic emerged because the UK and EU begin another brutal round of negotiations, after Brexit finally happened on Friday night.

They are wrangling over trade terms at the top of the 'standstill' transition period in December.

Boris Johnson has involved a zero-tariff, zero-quota arrangement - but dismissed demands from Brussels to align with their rules to urge the package.

Nissan has apparently calculated that if companies like Ford and Volkswagen face tariffs, its UK-made models could gain a big competitive edge.

There are claims the firm's market share within the UK could grow from 4 per cent to as high as 20 per cent.

However, the plan is claimed to possess been put together before the arrival of latest chief executive Makoto Uchida.

And a spokesman for Nissan Europe told the FT: 'We deny such a contingency plan exists.

'We've modelled every possible ramification of Brexit and therefore the fact remains that our entire business both within the UK and in Europe isn't sustainable within the event of WTO tariffs…

'We still urge UK and EU negotiators to figure collaboratively towards an orderly balanced Brexit which will still encourage interdependent trade.'

Nissan was the UK's second biggest car maker in 2019 behind Jaguar Land Rover, official figures show.

The Sunderland plant produced 346,535 vehicles last year, made from a mixture of Juke and Qashqai SUVs, Leaf electric models and Infiniti Q30 hatchbacks.

That's 21 per cent fewer than the entire output in 2018, as waning demand for diesel cars impacted manufacturing outputs.

Despite this, the Qashqai - the UK's best-selling SUV for the last decade - was the most-produced car within the UK over the last 12 months, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders confirmed.

Source : https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7960311/Nissan-ABANDON-EU-expand-operations-UK-Brexit.html