11:04 am, September 16, 2026
Nissan has announced a £170m of investment into its Sunderland plant in a move which will help to secure around 6,000 jobs.
The Japanese firm announced today that its new Kicks Hybrid model will be built at the facility, in a major boost for the UK economy.
The B-segment crossover will be built alongside the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf at the North East factory, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The investment will see the Kicks become the tenth model to be produced at Sunderland since the plant opened in 1986.
The model is already in its second generation in more than 70 countries, with the UK set to join existing production lines in Japan, Mexico and Brazil.
Sunderland will exclusively make European variants, which will use Nissan’s third-generation e-Power hybrid system, which was launched in 2025.
The Kicks announcement comes shortly after Nissan confirmed plans for the new Pixo, which is due to be unveiled next week.
From next year, Sunderland will also begin production of the third-generation Juke, which will be fully electric for the first time.
Adam Pennick, Nissan’s vice president of manufacturing at Sunderland, said: “I am proud to welcome this new model allocation for Sunderland.
‘It is the perfect way to celebrate our 40th year as a world-class manufacturing site.
‘We look forward to seeing Kicks e-Power hybrid going down the production line with our electrified line up of Qashqai, Juke and Leaf.’
Massimiliano Messina, chair of Nissan’s AMIEO region, added: ‘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 news has also been welcomed by the SMMT, which described the move as a ‘vote of confidence’ in the UK car industry.
Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO, said: ‘Today’s announcement is a major boost for Nissan Sunderland, the thousands of highly skilled jobs it supports and the wider local supply chain.
‘It is also another vote of confidence in UK automotive manufacturing with its world-class workforce, innovation and engineering excellence.
‘The UK sector has the fundamental strengths to secure growth.
‘But to unlock that potential, we must continue to strengthen our competitiveness – supporting a healthy market, tackling the high cost of business, especially energy and additional employment costs – and ensuring trade works for manufacturers.
‘Do this and yet more companies will choose to build the next generation of vehicles here in Britain.’