NISSAN LOAN GUARANTEES NORTH EAST'S PLACE AS 'GREEN' TRANSPORT LEADER

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 8th Apr 2009

Commenting on the news that the European Investment Bank has approved a loan to Nissan which will be used to research and development projects towards cleaner and greener cars, Member of the European Parliament for the North East and energy-efficiency specialist, Fiona Hall said:

"This is big news for the car industry in the North East - for the economy, for the safeguarding of jobs and because of the region's already well regarded reputation as a major research and manufacturing hub for green vehicles and technologies. I am particularly glad that the investment is focused on developing vehicles which will be much more fuel efficient and so will contribute to the long overdue greening of transport in the UK."