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Japanese car giant plans to close a production line and cut 900 jobs.

Nissan, has announced a series of changes as part of its RE:Nissan recovery plan. At the Sunderland plant, the company uses flow production to manufacture three popular models: the Leaf, the Juke, and the Qashqai.

Currently, these models are spread across two separate production lines; however, Nissan has confirmed it will bring all output onto a single line. The company says no jobs at Sunderland will be lost.

Across Europe, Nissan plans to reduce its workforce by around 10%. These cuts include closing part of its warehouse facility in Barcelona and changing the way it supplies cars to customers in other countries. A small number of office-based roles in the UK are also included in the 900 positions being cut across Europe.

The Sunderland site has been running well below its maximum possible output for some time. By freeing up the second production line, Nissan creates opportunities for other vehicle manufacturers to use the spare capacity. The company is reportedly in talks with several firms, including Chinese manufacturer Chery, the brand behind the Jaecoo and Omoda models.