Nissan has begun production of the third-generation Leaf electric car at its Sunderland plant, supported by a 450 million pound investment, underscoring the strategic importance of the UK's largest car factory despite the company's global restructuring, the Financial Times reports.
Offering a range of up to 386 miles and a cost starting at 32,249 pounds, the new Leaf is eligible for a full subsidy of 3,750 pounds under the UK government's new electric vehicle subsidy program, becoming the first major electric vehicle launched in the UK since 2020. The launch comes at a time when Nissan is facing increasing pressure worldwide due to weak sales, an outdated model range and declining demand in China, prompting the company to embark on a restructuring plan that includes plant closures and 20,000 job cuts. Although Sunderland is not subject to closure, CEO Ivan Espinosa warned that additional government support is needed to remain competitive and expressed willingness to increase plant utilization, including the potential use of the facility by Chinese partner Nissan Dongfeng or other manufacturers.
Sunderland employs about 6,000 workers and supports about 30,000 supply chain jobs, and Nissan's total investment is 6 billion pounds, although 250 voluntary layoffs were announced earlier this year. The plant's prospects have been further boosted by government funding of 1 billion pounds provided by battery supplier AESC for a new local battery manufacturing plant.
