Plugging in to the future (From The Northern Echo)

Plugging in to the future

9:44am Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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STEEL-MAKING has been a fundamental part of the North-East economy for generations, and the recent mothballing by Corus of the Teesside Cast Products plant was a huge blow to the region’s fortunes.

But, while the fight to save Corus jobs on Teesside goes on, the North- East can celebrate some fantastic news today thanks to the emergence of a new industry which promises to create thousands of local jobs for years to come.

As we reveal on our front page, Nissan will today confirm that its new Leaf electric car will be built at its Sunderland plant.

It is an announcement which is hugely important for the North-East, as it places the region at the forefront of the low carbon vehicle industry.

It is new, it is exciting and it is going to be happening here in the North- East.

Following last summer’s announcement that Nissan’s electric car battery plant would be sited next to the North-East factory, hopes have been high that the Leaf would also be built in this region.

And today we will get the longawaited confirmation that Sunderland has indeed won the jackpot.

Our congratulations go to everyone involved with Nissan’s Sunderland plant who have shown time and time again that they are world-class.

We also pay tribute to the support organisations, notably One North East, which had the vision to make this happen.

After the bodyblow struck by Corus, the news from Nissan has given the North-East the lift it so badly needed.

Here’s to the Leaf.