A gang of factory workers at Nissan’s UK factory have been jailed after stealing almost GBP1m (US$1.6m) of satellite navigation equipment and selling it on the internet auction site eBay.

The gang smuggled hundreds of sat nav systems, radios and other electronic components out of the factory in Sunderland, north east England, which were then distributed to motor shop owners or sold on the internet, a court heard.

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Undercover police smashed the ring after being called in by Nissan in January 2012 after the company saw components for sale on eBay for a fraction of their value.

An undercover probe was launched, code-named Operation Broadway, which resulted in the arrest of nine gang members.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - Nominations Closed

Nominations are now closed for the Just Auto Technology Excellence Awards. A big thanks to all the organisations that entered – your response has been outstanding, showcasing exceptional innovation, leadership, and impact.

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Continental has secured the Window Displays Innovation Award in the 2025 Just Auto Excellence Awards for its Window Projection solution, transforming side windows into dynamic, data-rich canvases. Discover how this compact projection technology and intelligent software are reshaping in-car UX and opening fresh revenue streams for OEMs and mobility providers.

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