Nissan is bringing its Kicks crossover to Europe, with production set to take place at its Sunderland plant in the UK. The move follows a £170 million investment in the facility, which had faced uncertainty because of the automaker’s global financial pressures.
The Sunderland plant, the United Kingdom’s largest automotive manufacturing site, will assemble the Kicks alongside the Juke, Qashqai and Leaf. This decision protects thousands of jobs at a location that has employed workers for 40 years.
The Kicks is a key model for the brand, with 1.8 million units built worldwide since its launch in 2016. The European version will use Nissan’s E-Power hybrid powertrain, delivering an “EV-like” driving feel. It will be the first time the model is sold on the continent.
Massimiliano Messina, chairman of the European region, said the Kicks launch shows the automaker’s ability to bring new vehicles to market quickly. He highlighted the vehicle’s compact crossover shape, the hybrid drivetrain and its innovative technology.
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The Sunderland facility has a long production history, beginning with the Bluebird in 1986. Over the decades it has built the Primera, Micra, Almera, Note and Infiniti Q30. To date, it has produced more than 12 million cars.
The automaker is also in talks with Chinese group Chery about possible manufacturing at the Sunderland site. Although no formal agreement exists, there is optimism that Chery could start production there from 2027.
The Kicks is slated to replace the petrol-powered Juke over time, while the firm prepares to launch a next-generation electric Juke at Sunderland next year.
