Nissan is expanding its European lineup with the Kicks crossover, which will be manufactured at the company's plant in Sunderland, UK. The automaker plans to invest £170 million into the facility to support the production of this model.
The European version of the Kicks will feature the e-Power series hybrid system. In this configuration, an electric motor drives the wheels, while an internal combustion engine acts exclusively as a power generator without a mechanical link to the drivetrain.
The Kicks was first introduced in 2016 and is currently available in 70 countries, with total global sales reaching 1,8 million units. Production currently takes place in Japan, Mexico, and Brazil.
The Sunderland plant will continue to produce the all-electric Leaf and the Juke, which is scheduled to transition to an all-electric powertrain by 2027. Meanwhile, plans for an electric version of the Qashqai have been suspended.
