Nissan's Electric Vehicle Plans Spark Hope for British Industry

Strategic Insights -

Visiting British Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson met with Nissan's senior vice president, Andy Palmer, at the British Embassy in Tokyo to discuss the Japanese automaker's plans for electric vehicle production. Mandelson expressed hope that Nissan will take a step further towards manufacturing electric vehicles in Britain, with the aim of full car production following battery production. Nissan has already announced plans to assemble electric vehicles in the United States around 2012, with a European version potentially following in the same timeframe. The meeting came as Mandelson was in Japan to promote trade liberalization talks under the World Trade Organization.

Key Takeaways:

  • British Secretary of State for Business Peter Mandelson expressed hope that Nissan will take a step further towards manufacturing electric vehicles in Britain, with the aim of full car production following battery production.
  • Nissan has already announced plans to assemble electric vehicles in the United States around 2012, with a European version potentially following in the same timeframe.
  • The meeting between Mandelson and Nissan's Andy Palmer came as the UK government aims to promote green technology and broaden trade with Japan.
  • Mandelson also met with Toyota's vice chairman, Katsuaki Watanabe, and top Japanese government officials to discuss trade agreements and trade liberalization talks under the WTO.
  • The Doha Round of trade liberalization talks was originally scheduled to be concluded in 2005, but members are aiming to wrap up the talks next year.
  • Nissan's plans for electric vehicle production in the UK could create new job opportunities and boost the country's economy.
  • The UK government has been promoting green technology as a key area for economic growth and job creation.

Statistics:

  • 2012: The year in which Nissan plans to assemble electric vehicles in the United States.
  • 2005: The year in which the Doha Round of trade liberalization talks was originally scheduled to conclude.
  • 2009: The year in which Mandelson met with Japanese officials to discuss trade agreements and trade liberalization talks under the WTO.

Sources:

  • "Nissan's Electric Vehicle Plans Spark Hope for British Industry" by Kyodo News International.
  • McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
  • "Copyright (c) 2009, Kyodo News International, Tokyo"