- Groundbreaking ceremony takes place at Sunderland Plant
- INFINITI's global expansion gathering momentum
- Major £250m investment will create 1,000 jobs
HONG KONG / SUNDERLAND, UK – Construction of the first INFINITI production facilities in Europe began today in Sunderland, UK.
Part of an overall £250m investment in the UK, a groundbreaking ceremony was performed today by Executive Vice President Trevor Mann and Fintan Knight, Vice President for INFINITI Europe, Middle East and Africa.
Mann said: "Securing the INFINITI Q30 for production at Sunderland was a tremendous achievement by the workforce and reflects the quality levels which they have reached. The existing Sunderland plant is already the largest in UK automotive history and this £250m investment will move the plant even further up the value chain and reconfirm our commitment to their future."
"This is a significant step for the INFINITI brand as we establish manufacturing here," said Knight while addressing visiting dignitaries, UK suppliers and plant staff at the ceremony. "The design center in Paddington, the Technical Center in Cranfield, and the ongoing partnership with the INFINITI Red Bull Racing team in Milton Keynes testify to our strong link with the UK. Our investment here amplifies the brand's presence in Europe, one of the key markets for INFINITI, but provides clear intent as we gear up for sales of the compact premium Q30 in 2015. INFINITI is committed to growing our product offering over the coming years as we challenge the traditional premium offerings."
Trevor Mann and Fintan Knight performed the groundbreaking ceremony with the aid of a specialist digger provided by construction partner Sir Robert McAlpine, indicative of a relationship, which dates back to the establishment of the Sunderland Plant in 1984.
The new facilities – for the Q30 body assembly (Body Shop) and final assembly (Trim and Chassis) – will cover 25,000m2 of new production space, with construction and facility installation due to be completed in time for the Q30 launch in 2015. The new Body Shop facilities will enable assembly of the Q30's premium platform, while the Trim and Chassis extension will include a new engine installation facility.
INFINITI will become the first new car brand to be manufactured in the UK on this scale for 23 years. The expansion is set to create 1,000 jobs at Sunderland and in its UK suppliers, including 280 new jobs at the Sunderland Plant, with the company's Design Center in Paddington and Technical Center in Cranfield also involved in the Q30's development.
About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd. is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in approximately 50 countries. The INFINITI brand was launched in 1989. Its range of premium automobiles is currently built in manufacturing facilities in Japan and the United States. Production in China and Europe will start soon along with the expansion of the brand's portfolio.
As the Title Partner and Vehicle Performance Partner of INFINITI Red Bull Racing, INFINITI has a far-reaching technical collaboration with the Formula One team, and Sebastian Vettel, its triple World Champion driver, serves as INFINITI's Director of Performance.
More information about INFINITI, its Total Ownership Experience® and its industry leading technologies can be found at http://www.infinitieurope.com/. For the latest news on INFINITI, visit http://www.infinitipress.eu/, "like" INFINITI on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/infinitieurope or follow the brand on Twitter https://twitter.com/INFINITIEurope
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Contacts:
For INFINITI Global Communications, contact:
Nathalie Greve
Senior Manager, INFINITI Global Communications
INFINITI Motor Company Ltd., Hong Kong
Mobile: +852 9447 9711
Email: nathalie.greve@infiniti.com
For Sunderland Plant Communications, contact:
Paul James
Senior Controller, Press Office
Nissan Motor Company Ltd., Sunderland, United Kingdom
Telephone: +44 191 418 4197
Mobile: +44 7814 851943
Email: paul.james@nissan-nmuk.co.uk
