Nissan ‘says Sunderland plant could close’ if UK excluded from Made in Europe rules

Nissan’s Sunderland site is Britain’s biggest car factory, with 6,000 employees and has the capacity to make 600,000 cars a year. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

The Japanese carmaker Nissan has reportedly said it could be forced to close its plant in Sunderland if the UK is not fully included in new “Made in Europe” manufacturing rules proposed by the EU.

The UK car industry trade representative group also said it was “gravely concerned” about the proposals, which it said could damage the £70bn annual cross-channel trade.