Nissan commits £170m to Sunderland for European Kicks production

Nissan has announced a £170m investment to manufacture the Kicks e-POWER at its Sunderland plant as the B-segment crossover prepares to make its European debut.

The Kicks will become the 10th model to be manufactured at Sunderland since the plant opened in 1986 and will be produced alongside the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF.

The model will use Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER hybrid system and will be produced in Sunderland for customers in the UK, Europe and Turkey.

Massimiliano Messina, chairperson Nissan AMIEO Region, said: “This is fantastic news for our European region and demonstrates the agility and speed with which we can bring new models to new markets.

“Kicks is a compact crossover, with the unique e-POWER hybrid drivetrain, exciting design and innovative technology. Electrification with choice is what European customers want, and the introduction of Kicks will further demonstrate how Nissan has options for all.”

The investment comes as Nissan’s Sunderland plant marks its 40th anniversary. The site has now produced 12 million vehicles since the first Nissan Bluebird came off the production line in 1986.

Nissan said around £5bn has been invested in the plant over four decades. The site employs around 6,000 people directly and supports a further 30,000 supply chain jobs, with vehicles manufactured for more than 100 markets.

Jonathan Reynolds, secretary of state for business and trade, said: “Nissan has been at the heart of British manufacturing for four decades, with Sunderland producing millions of vehicles that supported thousands of skilled jobs and helped establish the North East as a global automotive powerhouse.