​A new factory dedicated to producing powertrains for Nissan's next-generation electric vehicles will be established in Sunderland, creating 183 direct jobs and an estimated 400 additional roles in the supply chain. The project is part of a £50 million investment by the UK government to strengthen the country's electric vehicle supply chain.

The facility will be operated by Jatco, a company majority-owned by Nissan, marking its first plant in Europe. It will support production of electric successors to the Nissan Leaf, Qashqai, and Juke as part of the ongoing transformation of Nissan's Sunderland site.

The plant is a key element of Nissan's £2 billion EV36Zero initiative, which is reshaping the site into a hub for electric vehicle production. This programme also includes the construction of two battery factories nearby, in partnership with Envision, to supply advanced battery packs for the new models.

Efforts are underway to reconfigure production lines for the revamped Leaf, which will transition from a hatchback to a crossover design and is expected to enter production in early 2025. Meanwhile, facilities for the next-generation Juke and Qashqai are also being prepared, with launches anticipated around 2027.

To support the growing EV output, Nissan plans to increase the plant's use of renewable energy, aiming to transition from 20% to 100% renewable energy sources, although no timeline has been confirmed.

An important part of this investment is the upskilling of Sunderland's 6,000-strong workforce. Training initiatives will equip employees with the knowledge and skills needed for EV production, providing them with opportunities to develop expertise in a rapidly evolving industry. This focus on workforce development is set to create long-term benefits for employees and the local economy, ensuring Sunderland remains a key player in the automotive sector.