Two Renault models could be built in Nissan’s Sunderland plant

Renault is a ‘strategic partner’ of Nissan and is in talks with the Japanese car maker to move the Captur and Kadjar production to Britain.

Nissan intends to invest £400 million into its operation in the UK. Part of that investment was revealed in March – a new £52 million sheetmetal press line capable of stamping more than 6.1 million vehicle panels a year.

The Japanese and French group companies are discussing moving car production lines as part of a global overhaul of operations, which will be announced this month, according to two people familiar with the talks.

It was previously reported in February Nissan could pull its own manufacturing operations out of mainland Europe and concentrate on investment in Sunderland.

Tariffs as a result of Brexit on cars imported to Britain such as Ford and Volkswagen would make their cars more expensive to consumers, giving the likes of Nissan who assemble in the UK a competitive edge.

The contingency plans say the company could boost its 4% market share to as high as 20%.

The scenario would mean ‘doubling down’ on the UK and closing its Barcelona van plant as well as its manufacturing in France.

Nissan www.nissan.co.uk