Sunderland Gets Its Kicks: Nissan to Invest £170m in New Hybrid SUV Nissan's recent announcement of a £170m investment in its Sunderland plant has been hailed as a major boost for Britain's automotive sector, but the story behind this new hybrid SUV project reveals a more complex reality.
Behind this investment lies a warning from Nissan's head in Europe: unless the UK weakens its electric vehicle sales mandate, the company may be forced to reassess its commitment to the country.
The ZEV mandate has been a sticking point for manufacturers like Nissan, which are struggling to meet increasingly stringent targets.