THE boss of car maker Nissan says he is confident the Government’s Brexit deal will secure his company’s North-East future.

Carlos Ghosn says he believes Theresa May’s plans will avoid any “very big negative” for exporters.

Mr Ghosn previously hinted future production of Nissan’s flagship Qashqai model, which is already made at the firm’s Sunderland plant, could hinge on a Downing Street compensation package for any export tariffs and financial hardship caused by the EU change.

However, after discussions with Mrs May, Mr Ghosn revealed the near 7,000-job Wearside factory will make the next generation Qashqai and X-Trail vehicles.

It will be the first time the X-Trail has been built for European markets outside Japan.

Mr Ghosn said Tuesday’s speech by Mrs May, in which she signalled the UK will leave the single market, has not changed anything.

He warned anything that would be a “very big negative”

for exporters could lead to a “change in policy” by his company.

However, he added he is “not foreseeing” such a scenario because “I know this is something that’s going to be at centre stage of pre-occupation of the British Government”.

Nissan was forced to deny claims of a so-called sweetheart deal from the Government to protect it from post- Brexit costs upon revealing its Qashqai and X-Trail plans last year.