Nissan has invested £450m to build the next generation Leaf EV in Sunderland.

To support production of LEAF in Sunderland, the plant’s transformation has included 78 new robots in the body shop, including a fully automated laser welding facility, a state-of-the-art battery marriage facility in trim and chassis (bringing the battery into the car, applying 26 bolts in 56 seconds) and more than 360,000 hours’ training across the team of 6,000 to build the new car.

Adam Pennick, VP, manufacturing, at Nissan Sunderland Plant said: “Nissan has invested into our state-of-the-art plant to build the EVs of the future and there is huge pride and excitement in our team to be building this brilliant car in Sunderland.”

The landscape around the plant has also been transformed with a brand-new AESC gigafactory just over the road from the plant. AESC will supply next-generation battery technology with increased energy density for superior range and performance.

The Leaf has been built in Sunderland since 2013, with 282,704 manufactured in total at the plant, and the new Leaf will be followed by a new all-electric Nissan JUKE next year.

Under its global Ambition 2030 strategy, Nissan aims to become a truly sustainable company, driving towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world. The vision supports Nissan’s goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products by fiscal year 2050.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that Ford is slowing it plans to manufacture large electric vehicles, with the carmaker choosing to invest in hybrid and gas-powered vehicles and smaller EVs. As result Ford says it will incur a $19.5bn hit.

The company also no longer intends to produce a previously planned new electric commercial van for Europe, but will continue to maintain its full lineup of electrified vans for that market.

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