Car scrappage schems jobs boost for Nissan

Car manufacturer Nissan announced today it will create 150 jobs to deal with increased demand caused by scrappage schemes across Europe.

The giant’s Sunderland plant will need more temporary staff – employed on four-month contracts – to manufacture around 14,000 extra cars, starting in June.

Senior Vice-President Trevor Mann said economic conditions meant the market remained depressed, but the short-term effect of the scrappage schemes had boosted demand.

The Sunderland plant manufactures the Micra, Note and Qashqai models, and the new staff will work on both the plant’s production lines.

The firm said last month it experienced a year-on-year increase in sales in major European markets currently operating a scrappage scheme.

Sales in France were up a healthy 31%, Italy up 21% and Germany 9%.

The UK scrappage scheme, which begins later this month and offers discounts to owners of older cars, will provide a further boost, Nissan said.

Mr Mann, Nissan Senior Vice-President for Manufacturing, Europe said: “The impact of the financial crisis is continuing and our 2009 full-year forecasts still reflect a depressed market overall.

“However, this short term spike in demand, fuelled by a number of scrappage schemes introduced across Europe, is clearly a very welcome boost to business during what is a highly challenging period for all car makers.”