On long road back from Brexit, north-east’s recovery rides on survival of Nissan’s ‘shining star’ plant
Nissan's Sunderland factory is operating at half capacity as it navigates post-Brexit economic challenges and seeks partnerships with Chinese firms like Chery. The plant remains a critical anchor for the north-east England automotive supply chain.
Why it matters
The survival of this plant is a bellwether for the UK's post-Brexit industrial strategy and the broader health of the regional manufacturing economy.
A Turntide employee works on a pancake motor, also known as an axial flux motor, at the company’s Gateshead factory. A Turntide employee works on a pancake motor, also known as an axial flux motor, at the company’s Gateshead factory. Nissan On long road back from Brexit, north-east’s recovery rides on survival of Nissan’s ‘shining star’ plant Operating at only half its capacity, Japanese carmaker’s Sunderland factory seeks deal with China’s Chery as it battles Brexit threats
Jasper Jolly Sun 30 Aug 2026 02.00 EDT Share Prefer the Guardian on Google I n a factory in Gateshead, engineers carefully wind metal wires around iron cores to go in electric motors. Here, workers produce a smaller “pancake motor”, which generates higher torque than conventional versions for supercars or construction equipment.
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