UK car manufacturing showed an increasing reliance on overseas exports as the SMMT announced that production levels had fallen for the first time for eight years during 2017.
Nissan has awarded the contract to build the next generation Qashqai to its Sunderland plant, despite fears of trade volatility due to Brexit.
Car manufacturer warns that decisions will not be made "in the dark" as Theresa May indicates that Article 50 could be triggered by the end of March.
Growing electric vehicle penetration, the increased use of renewable power and more recycled materials in new products have helped Nissan cut its CO2 emissions by 22.4% in the past decade.
Nissan’s premium sister brand Infiniti has begun production this week of the Q30 executive hatchback at the Japanese group’s assembly plant in Sunderland.
Infiniti has revealed its new QX30 crossover ahead of the new model going on sale in the middle of next year.
