In widely reported remarks, Nissan COO Ashwani Gupta has reiterated the importance of UK-EU free trade to the future of its Sunderland manufacturing plant. The uncertainties connected with the Nissan Sunderland plant, in turn, serve as a reminder of the still-present Brexit risks.
Following the release of Nissan’s financial results (12 November 2019), where the company has reported quarterly operating profits are down 70 per cent on last year, David Leggett, automotive editor at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view: “The latest set of results from Nissan underlines the scale of the recovery challenge ahead for Nissan’s newly shaken-up management team. The company is clearly struggling to get back on track a year after the arrest of ex-chairman Carlos Ghosn on financial misconduct charges.
Nissan’s Russian manufacturing operation has acknowledged tyre maker Yokohama a Nissan Best Supplier Award. Igor Boitsov, general director of Nissan Manufacturing Rus LLC, presented the award to LLC Yokohama R.P.Z. at a ceremony in St. Petersburg.
Jean-Dominique Senard, chief executive officer of the Michelin Group, became chairman of the Board of Directors of Renault effective 24 January 2019. According to the company, Senard’s acceptance comes with “the full backing of all participants in Michelin’s governance system”. He will continue to serve as Michelin Group CEO until his term expires in May 2019.
Roughly two decades after taking the helm at Nissan (and later chairing the Japanese firm’s alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi), the carmaker’s board voted to remove company boss Carlos Ghosn following his arrest in Japan for underreporting his salary.
Gert Meylemans, the former head of PR and corporate communications at Bridgestone Europe, has become senior manager communications at Eurobat, the Association of European Automotive and Industrial Battery Manufacturers.
Dunlop run-flat tyres manufactured by Sumitomo Rubber Industries will be fitted as original equipment on the Lexus LS in North America as well as on the latest Nissan GT-R and GT-R Nismo in certain markets.
Nissan’s purchasing department has recognised what it states is Goodyear Dunlop’s “excellent quality performance in supplying automotive components to Nissan.”
During the annual Nissan Europe Supplier Quality Seminar, representatives from Nissan’s Purchasing Department recognised Goodyear Dunlop’s “excellent quality performance in supplying automotive components to Nissan.” Although it announced news of this honour today, the tyre maker was awarded at a ceremony that took place at the Nissan Brand Center in Barcelona, Spain last September.
Giles Rayner of Nissan has been confirmed as the final speaker in the line-up for the Vehicle Remarketing Association’s free-to-attend Annual Seminar, taking place next week (23 November). The national used vehicle remarketing manager will be looking at alternative fuel vehicles and their likely place in the remarketing mix over the coming year and into the future.
Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd reports it is supplying its Dunlop SP Sport Maxx GT600 tyre for original equipment fitment on versions of the Nissan Fairlady Z Nismo sold in Japan. The Dunlop tyre is being fitted to the Nissan (which is sold as the 370Z in other markets) in size 245/40R19 98W XL (front) and 285/35R19 103W XL rear.
Falken tyres are being supplied as original equipment to the Nissan Rogue Sport in North America, reports Sumitomo Rubber Industries. The Falken Sincera SN250A A/S is being shipped in size 215/60R17 96H for fitment on the compact crossover SUV. Nissan Motor Corporation’s flagship SUV, the Rogue, is also fitted with Falken tyres as factory standard.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports 180,168 new cars were registered in October, representing modest growth of 1.4 per cent. The growth was largely supported by fleet registrations, with private buyers continuing the trend of small declines. Registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles continued to show growth in double digits, while the overall total for the year is also growing marginally, showing the resilience of the market. Analysis from KPMG suggests that predicted incremental price increases will not severely affect the market, though lower figures are anticipated in 2017.
Nissan Motor Company Ltd. has committed to producing the next Qashqai crossover vehicle in Sunderland. Executives had warned that this may not happen following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union. However, not only has the company received satisfactory assurances to continue with production of the Qashqai for the next few years (the next Qashqai model is expected to be made in 2018 or 2019). Nissan also confirmed that it will add production of the next X-Trail model at its Sunderland as well in something of a surprise move.
MMC’s share price fell by 45 per cent over the last month after the company announced that fuel economy figures for models in Japan had been inflated, with around 625,000 cars believed to be affected. No announcement has been made about other markets, but investigation in the US is expected to be launched soon.
