Nissan Micra production concludes in UK
23rd July, 2010
Home >
News >
Nissan
It was on 10th August 1992 that the first Sunderland-built
Nissan Micra rolled off the Nissan UK production line. Now, 18 years later, more than 2.3 million units
and one model change later, Micra production in the UK has come to an end.
In its place, Sunderland is preparing for the launch of the all-new Juke crossover car, which will
enter production on the former Micra line in mid-August.
But before then staff took time to bid farewell to a car that has attained iconic status at the plant
where it has been produced for almost two decades.
The last Micra to be produced in Sunderland drove off the line during the late shift Friday 16th
July.
It marks the end of an era stretching back to the early Nineties when the very first Micra was
manufactured. Its arrival signalled the construction of an entirely new production line transforming
Sunderland into a multi-model, high volume facility.
The first Micra to be introduced to the UK was the model designated ‘K11’. It quickly won acclaim from
customers all over Europe, and in 1993 became the first Japanese car to win the coveted ‘European Car of
the Year’ award.
Sunderland went on to produce nearly 1.4 million K11 Micras over the next ten years until it was
replaced by the then new ‘K12’ Micra in 2002.
The K12 proved equally as popular and Sunderland produced more than 100,000 units within the first six
months of production – a faster rate than for any previous model.
The K12’s striking looks were not only a hit with buyers as the car received a European Design Award
at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show for its “individual character” and for “mixing functionality with
innovation”.
Sunderland manufactured nearly one million K12s in eight years of production, and this included the
plant’s first ‘open top’ car in the shape of the 2005 C+C (Coupe + Convertible).
C+C’s fully automated roof was fitted on a dedicated sub assembly line for the four years it was in
production during which the plant manufactured more than 31,000 units.
In total, Sunderland has manufactured 2,368,704 Micras since 1992, which is more than 40% of all cars
built at the plant since production began in 1986.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, VP Manufacturing UK said: “I think everyone will be sorry to see the last Micra
come off the line. When you produce a model for as long as we have produced Micra, it almost becomes
part of your plant’s identity. There is no doubt that Micra has been a tremendous success for us and a
production run of well over two million units is astounding, but like all plants we are constantly
changing and updating our model mix.”
|
|
|
Self-Catering Holiday
Accommodation in
Denmark, WA
..... more
|
|
|
“Micra’s departure frees up capacity on our lines meaning we can now look forward to producing the
Juke in August. Although Micra is a tough act to follow, Juke is a very exciting prospect. By combining
the best attributes from a compact SUV and a sports car, it will inject something truly original into
the small car segment.”
Production supervisor Keith Watson worked on the very first Micra produced in Sunderland in 1992. He
added: “It’s sad to see Micra production end in Sunderland, but we have a fantastic product replacing
it in Juke. It’s quite an achievement for the plant to think there are well over 2 million Sunderland-built
Micras out there.”
The model’s departure from Sunderland does not signal an end to the Micra story. The all-new model,
which had its global unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will be produced in several locations
globally.
This includes the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s new plant in Chennai, India which started Micra production
in May and has already begun supplying the domestic Indian market. Exports, including to Europe, will
begin in September this year.
Australia will see the new Nissan Micra later this year.
Sunderland Plant facts:
- Established in 1984 (start of production 1986)
- Total investment in plant to date: 2.68 billion GBP (2.99 billion euros)
- Total volume since start of production: 5.6 million units
- Total 2009 volume: 338,000 units
- Current workforce: 4,700 employees
- UK’s largest car producer and exporter
- Produced a third of all cars built in the UK in 2009
- Current model line-up: Qashqai, Qashqai +2, Note and from August the new Nissan Juke
| 
