The Guardian ·
Sunderland gets its Kicks: Nissan to invest £170m to build new hybrid SUV
Latest attempt to secure future of Britain’s biggest car factory may be subject to UK weakening EV sales mandate
Nissan has said it will invest £170m to build a new SUV at its factory in Sunderland – but said the move was subject to the UK weakening its electric vehicle sales mandate.
The new hybrid model, the Kicks, is Nissan’s latest attempt to secure the future of the plant, which employs 6,000 people in Tyne and Wear and is Britain’s biggest car factory.
Massimiliano Messina, Nissan’s head in Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, said the move would not bring new jobs but was part of “securing and maintaining” jobs at the site, which has been running at 50% capacity.
