Micra Says Goodbye To The UK

It was 18 years ago on 10th August 1992 when the first Micra rolled off the production line at Nissan’s Sunderland plant.

More than 2.3 million units and one model change later, the Nissan Micra finally says goodbye to the UK as production in Sunderland comes to an end.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant has manufactured a whopping 2,368,704 Micra’s since 1992, more than 40% of all cars built at the plant since production began in 1986.

The British-built Micra has become an iconic model, winning universal acclaim all over Europe and was the first Japanese car to win the coveted ‘European Car of the Year’ award in 1993.

Kevin Fitzpatrick, VP Manufacturing UK said: “I think everyone will be sorry to see the last Micra come off the line. When you produce a model for as long as we have produced Micra, it almost becomes part of your plant’s identity.”

Thankfully, it’s not all bad news though. Taking the Micra’s place on the Sunderland production line is Nissan’s new compact crossover – the Nissan Juke – which will enter production in mid-August. But not before the staff bid a final farewell to the Micra…

“It’s sad to see Micra production end in Sunderland, but we have a fantastic product replacing it in Juke. It’s quite an achievement for the plant to think there are well over 2 million Sunderland-built Micra’s out there.” commented production supervisor Keith Watson who worked on the very first Micra produced in Sunderland in 1992. 

The last UK built Micra rolled off the production line during the late shift on Friday 16th July. The new Micra model, which made its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will now be produced in Chennai, India. 

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Donna Kelly

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19/07/2010