The production of the Leaf model is scheduled to start in early 2013. The initial production capacity in Sunderland will be of 50,000 units per year. The battery production will start in 2012. The plant will build batteries for both Nissan and Renault.
"This investment is a fantastic vote of confidence in the Sunderland plant and its excellent workforce. The automotive sector is of key importance to the UK. It supports R&D, technological innovation, skills and a supply chain that's a mainstay of the wider manufacturing sector,” said UK's Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.
"Today's news from Nissan, with support from government, shows that by working together we can achieve our aim of making the UK a world-leader in ultra-low carbon vehicles," he added.
"The world is at the dawn of a new era in automotive transport. Nissan LEAF, which will go on sale later this year, is a five-seater hatchback that offers the same space, practicality and performance of a similar car in its class - minus the tailpipe emissions," said Andy Palmer, senior vice president at Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., and responsible for the company's global EV strategy.
"Thanks to the UK's firm commitment to a low carbon future in terms of infrastructure, customer incentives and educational programmes, Nissan LEAF will be built at Sunderland, making the UK the third country in the world to produce this revolutionary car."
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