Nissan is investing £170 million to build its new Kicks hybrid crossover at its Sunderland plant, strengthening the North East’s role at the heart of Britain’s car industry.
The European version of the Kicks will be manufactured alongside the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF. The decision comes as Nissan’s Sunderland operation celebrates 40 years of production and reaches a total of 12 million vehicles built.
A tenth model for Sunderland
The Kicks will be the tenth model allocated to the plant since the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off the line in 1986. Previous Sunderland-built models include the Primera, Micra, Almera, Note, Infiniti Q30, Juke, Qashqai and LEAF.
The site produces a car on average every one minute and 45 seconds. It employs around 6,000 people directly and supports a further 30,000 jobs through its supply chain.
Nissan has invested £5 billion in the Sunderland operation over more than four decades. Vehicles made there are exported to more than 100 markets worldwide, helping establish the city as a major centre for UK automotive manufacturing.
Hybrid technology with an electric drive
Kicks will use Nissan’s third-generation e-POWER hybrid system, which was launched in 2025. The technology has been re-engineered to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and provide a quieter, smoother drive.
Unlike a conventional hybrid, the wheels are driven solely by an electric motor. Its petrol engine generates electricity and recharges the onboard battery, meaning drivers get electric-motor response and acceleration while retaining the familiarity of using petrol stations.
Nissan has already built 200,000 Qashqai e-POWER models in the UK. More than 1.9 million e-POWER vehicles have been sold globally since the system launched in 2016.
More electrified models to follow
The Kicks announcement follows Nissan’s plans for a new A-segment electric car, called PIXO, and comes ahead of production of the all-new third-generation Juke at Sunderland from next year. The new Juke will be fully electric.
Nissan also operates a design centre in Paddington, London, and a research and development site in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. Across the UK, the company employs around 7,000 people.
Sunderland’s existing electrified line-up forms part of Nissan’s EV36Zero project, which brings electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production together as part of the company’s plans for more sustainable manufacturing.
