Car giant restarts Egyptian plant

Japanese car maker Nissan has restarted its plant in Egypt, shut down for two weeks because of massive protests, a company spokesman said.

The small plant near Giza began running again on Sunday after closing on January 30.

“The plant was closed out of concern for the safety of our workers,” said Mitsuru Yonekawa, the spokesman. “We have not received any reports of damages.”

The plant, which produces 10,000 vehicles a year, makes the X-Trail sport-utility vehicle, Sunny sedan and pick-up trucks, according to Yokohama-based Nissan.

Pro-democracy protesters took to the streets in Cairo and forced the resignation of president Hosni Mubarak after an 18-day uprising. The military is backing a caretaker government and promising elections.