Nissan plans to launch a new model in Europe and invest £170m to build it in Sunderland, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary.
The Nissan Kicks – a compact B-segment crossover – features unique e-POWER hybrid technology and will be manufactured in Sunderland, alongside the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF. It is based in the same platform as the Juke but is slightly longer overall.
The original Kicks went into production in Brazil in 2016 and replaced two years ago by the current shaped model which is also assembled in Japan and Mexico and is now heading to Sunderland for sale in the middle of 2027.
Sunderland is also being discussed in a joint venture with Chery to build a new model for the Chinese company in the near future.
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.”
UK Government Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds 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.
“The decision to build this new model in Sunderland is a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s manufacturing expertise and automotive future. I’m excited in what our partnership with industry can achieve so this Government delivers good growth, investment and skilled jobs in every postcode.”
Kicks is the second exciting product update from Nissan in Europe this month following the announcement of a new A-segment small electric car, called PIXO and is to be unveiled next week.
The second-generation Kicks model is currently built in Japan, Mexico and Brazil for sale globally. In total, Kicks has surpassed 1.8 million units sold in more than 70 countries. This announcement heralds the model’s European debut, adding a further e-POWER hybrid model to the range and ensuring Nissan continues to offer a variety of electrified powertrains to suit all customer needs.
It will be the tenth model to be built at Nissan’s Sunderland Plant in the North East of England, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary. Nissan also has a design centre in Paddington, London and a research and development site in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.
Surpassing a further milestone, the plant has now built 12 million vehicles since the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off the production line in 1986. On average, that’s equivalent to one car every 1 minute 45 seconds.
Adam Pennick, Vice President of Manufacturing, Nissan Sunderland Plant, added, “I’m proud to welcome this new model allocation for Sunderland. It’s 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.”
e-POWER – unique hybrid powertrain technology
Nissan Sunderland Plant already builds e-POWER hybrid versions of the Qashqai and will build on this expertise to produce the new Kicks for customers in the UK, Europe and Turkey.
More than 1.9 million e-POWER hybrid models have been sold globally since its launch in 2016, including 200,000 Qashqai e-POWER hybrid models built in the UK.
Kicks will be equipped with the third-generation system, launched in 2025 and comprehensively re-engineered for even better fuel efficiency, lower emissions and elevated refinement.
What makes e‑POWER hybrid technology unique is that the wheels are driven solely by a powerful electric motor. The 2.0 litre 141bhp petrol engine is used only to generate electricity and recharge the on-board battery.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, 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.”
