# Nissan secures Sunderland future with new Kicks model

> Japanese carmaker invests £170 million to build hybrid crossover at UK plant, protecting thousands of jobs.
- Title: Nissan secures Sunderland future with new Kicks model
- Summary: Japanese carmaker invests £170 million to build hybrid crossover at UK plant, protecting thousands of jobs. Nissan's decision to manufacture the new Kicks…
- Keywords: nissan, sunderland, uk manufacturing, kicks hybrid, investment, jobs, electric vehicles, zev mandate, automotive industry, north east england, news, entertainment
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/money/cars/article-16135371/Nissan-Sunderland-factory-Kicks-built-global-markets-UK-plant.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-09-16T18:17:53+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: nissan, sunderland, uk manufacturing, kicks hybrid, investment, jobs, electric vehicles, zev mandate, automotive industry, north east england, news, entertainment
## Nissan backs Sunderland with new model
Nissan will build its new Kicks Hybrid crossover at its Sunderland factory, bringing £170 million in investment and securing thousands of British jobs.
## Kicks joins four other models
The compact crossover will be manufactured alongside the Qashqai, Juke, Leaf EV, and the new electric Juke launching next summer at the North East plant.
## Tenth Nissan model built here
The Kicks is the tenth Nissan model to be built at Sunderland in its 40-year history of car manufacturing in the UK.
## Second new model this month
Nissan Europe also confirmed a new small electric vehicle reviving the Pixo nameplate, to be unveiled the following week.
## Deal depends on EV targets
Nissan bosses say the investment will only proceed if the UK government relaxes its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, potentially lowering the 80 percent electric car sales target for 2030 to 50 percent.

> Of course we're going to keep discussing with the UK government because large part of this is subject to the ZEV mandate amendment.
## Nissan bounces back from losses
The announcement comes after Nissan reported a projected 650 billion yen (£4.2 billion) net loss for the fiscal year ending March 2026 and combined two production lines in May.
## Chinese partner uses spare capacity
Nissan signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Chery Group to allow the Chinese carmaker to assemble its own vehicles at the Sunderland plant using unused production capacity.
## Compact crossover with hybrid power
The Kicks features Nissan's e-Power hybrid drivetrain and measures 4.3 meters long, 1.8 meters wide, and 1.6 meters tall, nearly identical to the current Juke.

> Electrification with choice is what European customers want, and the introduction of Kicks will further demonstrate that Nissan has options for all.
## Global success story
Since launching in Latin America in 2016, the Kicks has sold over 1.8 million units across 70 countries, making it one of Nissan's most popular global products.
## Expected UK pricing around £25,000
While Nissan hasn't confirmed a UK price, the Kicks will likely cost around £25,000, matching the current Juke Hybrid, with five seats and 450 liters of boot space.
## Government welcomes manufacturing boost
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds praised Nissan's commitment, noting the company has supported thousands of skilled jobs and established the North East as a global automotive powerhouse over four decades.

> Nissan has been at the heart of British manufacturing for four decades, with Sunderland producing millions of vehicles, supporting thousands of skilled jobs.
## Key takeaway

Nissan's decision to manufacture the new Kicks Hybrid at its Sunderland factory provides a major boost to UK automotive manufacturing, but the investment is conditional on the government relaxing electric vehicle sales targets.