Nissan will not extend the contracts of 248 temporary workers at its U.K. car factory, the Japanese automaker said Thursday, as the industry struggles with reduced demand amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Output at the Sunderland plant in northern England was halted in mid-March and resumed at the start of the week but with only one line, which makes the Juke and Qashqai models, in operation.
A second line, which builds Qashqai and the electric LEAF, will reopen on June 22, the firm said.
"Given current business conditions in Europe, we are facing a period of reduced volumes in our Sunderland plant," the firm said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, therefore, we will not be extending the contracts of 248 temporary manufacturing staff at the plant."
The cuts means total staffing at the site will be reduced to 5,750 people.