Carmaker Nissan will build its new Qashqai model at Britain's biggest car plant in Sunderland, a company source said Thursday, in a major boost to Prime Minister Theresa May just months after voters backed Brexit.

Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn said in September that he could scrap new investment in Britain without a guarantee of compensation for costs related to any new tariffs resulting from Brexit.

Sunderland, in the north east of England, built almost 1 in 3 of Britain's cars last year and Nissan's decision had been seen as a key indicator of whether international firms would continue to invest in Britain following the June vote to leave the European Union.

Having met with May and other senior members of the government, Nissan has decided to also build its compact crossover X-Trail at Sunderland, a separate source said.

The plan will help to secure at least 7,000 jobs.

Sunderland, which became a symbol of the recovery of Britain's automotive industry in 1984 when Nissan agreed to open its plant there, voted heavily in favor of Brexit during the June 23 referendum.