A CAR MAKER’S never-say-die attitude and global reputation means its North-East factory can flourish for decades, a senior boss has said.

Colin Lawther says Nissan’s Sunderland plant stands ready to extend its international prowess with new Qashqai and X-Trail work.

Mr Lawther denied the growth was due to a Government “sweetheart deal”, after officials previously warned Brexit dawdling could have affected its Wearside base.

He was speaking as the company confirmed a mooted next generation Qashqai model will be made in the region.

However, in a separate coup, it also revealed Sunderland will manufacture the 4x4 X-Trail, which some industry experts have tagged the Qashqai’s big brother.

Work on the Qashqai could start as early as 2018, though Mr Lawther, European senior vice-president for manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain, refused to be drawn on any date.

However, Mr Lawther, who was the 120th person to be employed at Nissan’s plant, which now has nearly 7,000 staff, did say the deals would give the company scope to create jobs, both at its factory and in the supply chain, as it seeks to make increased numbers of parts for the new models in the UK.

He said: “This is fantastic news.

“We’ve been here 30 years making cars and are now a third generation company; we’ve got people’s grandkids working here.

“Over those years we have gained a lot of goodwill and confidence in Sunderland from our parent company.

“Getting the Qashqai and X-Trail safeguards those jobs and provides opportunity to expand employment in the region.

“This is a great pat on the back for everyone here, they are absolutely buzzing.”

Nissan’s two-pronged announcement came after warnings from chief executive, Carlos Ghosn, which implied Government wavering over Brexit policy could see the Qashqai head elsewhere.

The company already builds the model in Russia and has other factories across Europe, including those operated by sister company, Renault, which would gladly take the Qashqai.

However, after talks with Prime Minister, Theresa May, Mr Ghosn said the business had suitable reassurance over Britain’s post-EU landscape.

Mr Lawther, who grew up in Beamish, near Stanley, County Durham, said Nissan’s worries were genuine, adding the potential hazards of Brexit were “massive.”

He also reiterated the business has had no special treatment from the Government.

He added: “We have 7,000 people here whose jobs are under threat if we do not get new models.

“However, Sunderland, as it always has done, has managed to overcome adversity.

“We’ve got a never-say-die attitude and one-by-one we knock the barriers down.

“There is no offer of exchange, it’s just the commitment from the Government to work with the whole of the automotive industry to make sure it remains competitive.

“There's no special deal; we would expect nothing for us that the rest of the industry wouldn't have access to.”

Retaining Nissan in the UK was seen as vital to Mrs May’s hopes for a successful Brexit process.

The company’s supply chain links, employment and export prowess, the latter of which plays a key role in the North-East’s positive balance of trade, left many fearing for the region’s business community if Nissan didn’t get the assurances it wanted.

However, Mrs May said: “Families across the North-East will be delighted too and I share their enthusiasm.”

Nissan’s Wearside plant supports around 28,000 supply chain jobs and Paul Butler, chief executive at the North East Automotive Alliance, which champions the region’s car sector, said its plans were exciting.

He said: “I have no doubt this will provide a springboard for future growth and expansion of the North-East automotive sector and I look forward to working with Nissan and its supply chain to maximise this opportunity.”