Was Brexit behind Nissan’s decision not to build the X-Trail in Sunderland?

Analysis: Some have claimed the Japanese carmaker’s decision not to build the SUV in Sunderland was due to problems in the global diesel market, not the UK leaving the European Union. Ben Chu assesses the evidence

Nissan’s Europe chair made it clear Brexit was a factor in the X-Trail cancellation decision (Nissan)

Nissan’s decision to abandon plans to build the diesel X-Trail SUV at its Sunderland plant and to construct the model in Japan instead has been presented by many as clear evidence of the harm already being done to UK industry by Brexit.

But others have claimed that Nissan’s decision was actually due to the fallout of the global diesel scandal and little to do with Britain leaving the European Union.

So what’s the truth? And if it was due to Brexit can we expect more companies to cancel investments in the coming months?