A new factory near Nissan’s Sunderland plant will improve British manufacturing and help the Japanese brand move forward with its goal to develop more electric vehicles.
Jatco Ltd has officially opened a new £48.7million manufacturing facility in Sunderland, marking a significant expansion of the UK’s electric vehicle production capabilities.
The 138,840sq ft plant, situated on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), will create up to 183 highly skilled jobs in the North East.
The facility will produce electrified powertrains for the nearby Nissan plant, specifically focusing on the production of 3-in-1 systems that combine motor, inverter and reducer components.
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Jatco will work in partnership with Nissan’s Sunderland factory going forward following the investment
PA
Jatco, a global leader in automobile transmission manufacturing, will make Sunderland its fourth overseas production location, alongside existing plants in Mexico, China, and Thailand.
The new 3-in-1 powertrain system represents a significant technological advancement, designed to be smaller and lighter through the integration of key components.
The facility will play a crucial role in Nissan’s EV36Zero project, which includes three new all-electric vehicles. This will feature the Qashqai and Juke crossovers and a replacement for the legendary Leaf model.
Alan Johnson, Senior Vice President at Nissan AMIEO, said: “This is a fantastic step forward for our world-first EV36Zero plan. Welcoming a key supplier to the North East of England provides a big boost to the efficiency of our supply chain.”
Minister for Investment Baroness Gustafsson OBE said: “This announcement is a massive vote of confidence in the UK economy and this Government’s plans to make Britain the destination of choice for investment.
“Not only will this boost our thriving auto industry but will help secure hundreds of jobs in Sunderland.
“The government continues to work with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK and our modern Industrial Strategy will build on this legacy, bringing growth, jobs and opportunities to every part of the UK.”
The IAMP location strategically positions Jatco within a growing cluster of automotive and advanced manufacturing businesses in the North East.
The facility is part of the North East Investment Zone, announced in November 2023, which aims to drive growth in advanced manufacturing and green industries.
Jatco’s CEO, Tomoyoshi Sato, expressed pride in the UK expansion, stating: “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Nissan and we are delighted to bring the manufacture of our 3-in-1 powertrain to the UK.”
Similarly, Kim McGuinness, Mayor for the North East, said the move underscored the confidence of investors and businesses in the region, adding that it would play a “leading role” in advancing the automotive and EV industry.
Jatco aims to achieve a production capacity of 340,000 units from its Sunderland plant, building on its global track record of over 129 million automatic transmissions supplied since 1970.
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The new Jatco facility in Sunderland will begin supplying components from 2026
NISSAN
The new facility will begin supplying components to Nissan Motor Manufacturing from 2026, when the site is scheduled for completion.
GMI, the North East-based construction firm that delivered the original facility in 2019, has been appointed to carry out the current extension and upgrade works.
The project received support through a government grant, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to expanding its electric vehicle manufacturing capabilities.
