- Nissan to manufacture electric Qashqai and Juke in Sunderland, investing over £1 billion.
- British government offers guarantees, aligning with a £4.5 billion investment in manufacturing.
- Move secures jobs, boosts EV market, and signals a sustainable automotive future in the UK.
Nissan continues its EV commitment by announcing the production of two electric models in Sunderland, UK
Nissan plans to manufacture electric versions of its Qashqai and Juke models at its Sunderland plant in northern England. This announcement comes as a boost for the region and the development will secure thousands of jobs.
The investment is rumoured to exceed £1 billion ($1.25 billion). It underscores Nissan’s commitment to EV production in the UK. While the British government won’t provide upfront taxpayer money, it will offer guarantees to support the project.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to visit the Sunderland plant for the official announcement, with Nissan CEO Makoto Uchida anticipated to make the announcement. The move is part of Nissan’s broader strategy to strengthen its position in the growing EV market.
Nissan’s Sunderland plant, employing 6,000 people, has been a key player in the EV sector. So far, the facility produces the short-range electric Leaf model and is a central hub for Nissan’s flagship EV36Zero project, launched in 2021 with a £1 billion investment.
The strength of Nissan’s Sunderland plant is in its battery production facilities.
Nissan is actively producing batteries in-house to meet the UK government’s upcoming Rules of Origin legislation. The legislation states that 45% of an electric car’s value and 60% of the battery pack must be made locally for tariff-free export.
The government’s commitment to investing £4.5 billion in British manufacturing from 2025 further aligns with the automotive sector’s growth plans. The plans focus on sectors where the UK can excel, such as automotive and clean energy.
This announcement comes amid previous uncertainties, including Nissan’s decision in 2019 not to proceed with X-Trail production in the North East. Therefore, new investment signals a positive turn for the Sunderland plant and the automotive industry in the region.
Nissan and the UK government are yet to reveal specific details. That leaves questions about the duration of the government funding guarantee and the production volume of the electric Qashqai and Juke models at the Sunderland plant over the next decade unanswered. However, the upcoming announcement has been received with excitement. It marks both Nissan’s continued commitment to EVs, and the UK’s production power in the sector.
