Nissan Motor

Nissan’s Sunderland factory is operating at about half capacity and is negotiating a potential deal to build cars for China’s Chery to sustain volumes and jobs. The plant faces Brexit-related threats including EU rules of origin for EV batteries and the Industrial Accelerator Act, which could exclude UK-made cars from subsidies. Nissan has cut production and is restructuring globally, while regional suppliers and start-ups like Turntide depend on Sunderland’s ecosystem for growth. Local leaders stress the factory’s importance to the north-east economy but warn its future is uncertain without policy clarity and industry support. » More on theguardian.com

Nissan reported a net profit of 3.8 billion yen for January–March and quarterly sales of 2.96 trillion yen, up 9.5% year‑on‑year, after cost cuts and stronger sales in the U.S. and Japan. The company cut its annual vehicle sales outlook to 3.15 million units, citing weak demand in China and disruption in the Middle East, and said a Kumamoto earthquake briefly stalled production affecting about 5,000 vehicles. Nissan kept its fiscal-year forecast of a 20 billion yen profit on 13 trillion yen in sales and highlighted ongoing challenges from tariffs and higher material costs while focusing on profitability and cash flow. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Nissan, together with BMW, Ford, Toyota and Bosch, sent ministers a joint letter seeking a “multipath” approach that would permit highly efficient internal combustion engines, hybrids and e-fuels beyond the UK’s 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars. The Department for Transport says the 2035 phase-out is not negotiable, though the government will review the zero emission vehicle mandate by 2027. Critics and EV makers warned that reopening petrol and diesel sales would undermine decarbonisation and risk the UK auto industry’s competitiveness, while Nissan says it remains committed to a fully electric future but favors a more gradual transition. » More on theguardian.com