Nissan is bringing its popular Kicks crossover to Europe for the first time, with hybrid versions of the SUV set to be built at the manufacturer's Sunderland plant.
The Japanese car maker is investing £170 million in its UK operations to support production of the Kicks, providing a significant boost for Nissan's Sunderland facility and the wider UK automotive industry.
The Kicks is a B-segment crossover that was first introduced in 2016, primarily targeting markets such as Brazil. The second-generation model arrived in 2024 and is currently produced in Brazil, Japan and Mexico.
Although the Kicks has never previously been sold in Europe, it is already available in many other markets around the world.
Nissan Kicks to join Sunderland production line-up
The new Kicks will be produced alongside several other Nissan models at Sunderland, including the Qashqai and the combustion-engined Juke.
The plant is also responsible for producing the new electric Leaf, while the recently revealed new Juke will also be built there.
The arrival of the Kicks is particularly significant because it adds another combustion-powered model to the Sunderland production line-up. Nissan's plans for an electric version of the Qashqai have been put on hold for now, making the additional Kicks production an important development for the factory.
Nissan has also been in discussions with Chinese manufacturer Chery about potentially producing vehicles at Sunderland. If an agreement is reached, as many as six different models could eventually be manufactured at the site.
The Sunderland plant is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year and has produced more than 12 million vehicles since opening.
The latest investment follows recent cost-cutting measures at the factory, including the closure of one production line.
Where will the Nissan Kicks sit in the range?
The Kicks will sit between the Juke and Qashqai in Nissan's European SUV range.
The international version measures 4,365mm in length, making it slightly longer than the Juke. It also uses Nissan's CMF-B platform, which is shared with the Juke.
The European Kicks will use hybrid power, giving buyers another electrified option alongside Nissan's growing range of electric vehicles.
Nissan has not previously offered the Kicks in Europe, so its arrival will give the brand another option in the increasingly competitive small and compact crossover market.
The Kicks will form part of an expanding European line-up that will also include the new Pixo electric city car.
A boost for UK manufacturing
The investment in Sunderland has been welcomed by the UK government.
Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds described Nissan's decision to build the Kicks in Sunderland as a "huge vote of confidence" in the UK's manufacturing expertise and automotive future.
For Nissan, producing the Kicks in the UK also gives the Sunderland plant a broader mix of vehicles as the industry continues its transition towards electrification.
The first European Kicks models are expected to add another choice for buyers looking for a practical crossover with hybrid power, while its UK production should help maintain Sunderland's position as one of the country's most important automotive manufacturing sites.