Nissan's investment in UK's electric vehicle market

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【Summary】Nissan will invest £1.12 billion to build electric versions of its Juke and Qashqai models in Sunderland, UK, supporting thousands of jobs. The investment includes R&D and manufacturing for the new models and could bring the total investment up to £2 billion. The move aligns with Nissan's plans for carbon neutrality and contributes to the UK's goal of becoming a leader in electric car production.

FutureCar Staff Nov 24, 2023 10:17 PM PT

Nissan's investment in UK's electric vehicle market

Japanese auto giant Nissan has announced plans to invest up to £1.12 billion in building electric models of its popular Juke and Qashqai cars in Sunderland, northeast England. This investment will support thousands of jobs and further boost the region's automotive industry. Sunderland is home to Nissan's largest factory in Europe and employs approximately 6,000 people.

The investment will be used for research and development, as well as manufacturing, of the two new electric models. In addition to this, it is expected to stimulate further investment in infrastructure projects and the wider supply chain. There are plans to establish a new electric car battery factory, which could bring the total investment to £2 billion.

Nissan's President and CEO, Makoto Uchida, emphasized the company's commitment to carbon neutrality and the role of electric vehicles in achieving this goal. He stated, "Exciting, electric vehicles are at the heart of our plans to achieve carbon neutrality. With electric versions of our core European models on the way, we are accelerating towards a new era for Nissan, for industry, and for our customers."

The announcement comes at a time when the UK is striving to become a leader in electric vehicle production. As companies and governments worldwide shift away from fossil-fuel vehicles, Nissan's investment in Sunderland demonstrates confidence in the UK's automotive industry. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak described it as a "massive vote of confidence" and highlighted the significant contribution of the automotive sector to the UK economy, which amounts to £71 billion annually.

This investment is expected to secure Sunderland's future as a hub for electric vehicle innovation and manufacturing, earning it the reputation of the UK's Silicon Valley in this field. The UK government's economic plan focuses on making the country the best place to do business, and Nissan's investment aligns with this vision.