Nissan: Counting down to a big anniversary

The motoring giant is approaching its 40th anniversary on Wearside

Transcript

00:00 One of Sunderland's biggest ever success stories began to unfold 40 years ago.

00:06 And today, the Echo is paying tribute to Nissan with a look at the adventure which started

00:12 in such fantastic style at this time in 1984.

00:17 It was in February that year where Nissan and the UK government signed an agreement

00:22 to build a car plant in the UK.

00:26 One month later, Sunderland was chosen as the site.

00:30 "We've got it," said the Echo headline.

00:32 And not long after, officials from the Japanese giants were on weir side to get a feel for

00:39 the place themselves.

00:41 The Echo was there, on the day the first grass was cut in 1984 and when a traditional Japanese

00:49 ceremony was held.

00:51 It involved one eye of the Daruma doll being painted in when a project is launched and

00:58 the other eye painted when it's completed.

01:01 We followed the progress and the ever increasing links between Sunderland and Japan.

01:08 And we were there on the day the factory was officially opened, with Prime Minister Margaret

01:12 Thatcher there to perform the honours in front of the workers.

01:18 Watch out for more on Nissan and its 40th anniversary throughout this year.

01:23 In the meantime, congratulations Nissan, a fantastic part of weir side history.