Nissan signs up for new hatch

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese automaker Nissan will spend $200 million (R1.6-billion) to build a new hatchback at its UK plant.

Nissan's new car, which does not yet have a name, will go into production in 2014 and create 225 jobs at its Sunderland factory in northern England and 900 more at the automaker's British suppliers. 

GOVERNMENT BACKING

The new commitment comes on top of the R1.6-billion Nissan plans to spend to build its new Invitation compact vehicle from mid-2013 in Sunderland and will take manufacturing capacity at Britain's biggest car plant beyond 550 000 vehicles a year.

The deal is backed by 8.2 million pounds (R104-million) of funding by the British government.

The car industry has been a bright spot for the stagnating British economy with Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India's Tata Motors, recently announcing new British investments, although there are questions over the future of GM's Ellesmere Port plant.