In a significant move for the UK automotive industry, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt visited Nissan’s Sunderland plant, spotlighting the automaker’s shift towards electric vehicles (EVs). The visit, aligning with recent budget announcements, underscored the economic and industrial strategies amid challenging times in the UK.
Nissan, renowned for its popular Qashqai and Juke models, revealed plans to manufacture the next generation of its pioneering Leaf electric car at the Sunderland facility. This commitment forms a key part of Nissan’s strategy to electrify its entire European passenger car lineup by 2030. The plant, crucial to Nissan’s operations in the UK, has been a focal point in discussions surrounding Brexit and the automotive industry’s future.
The move is seen as a bolster to the UK’s EV sector, especially given the upcoming post-Brexit trade tariffs. Nissan’s dedicated battery plant nearby, a unique advantage in the region, positions the company favorably amid the shift to electric mobility. Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida emphasized the company’s dedication to carbon neutrality and the acceleration towards a new era for Nissan and its customers.
This visit and announcement are pivotal for Nissan, marking a significant step in the UK’s automotive industry’s transition to sustainable practices and electric mobility.
