Nissan has confirmed that the Kicks compact crossover will launch in Europe, with production to take place at the company’s Sunderland plant in the UK. The £170 million investment will bring a new e-POWER hybrid model to European customers, while strengthening Nissan’s electrified vehicle manufacturing operations in Britain.
The announcement comes as Nissan Sunderland celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking a major milestone for a factory that has now produced 12 million vehicles since the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off its production line in 1986.
Nissan Kicks Will Be Built in Sunderland Alongside Qashqai, Juke and LEAF
The second-generation Nissan Kicks will become the tenth model allocated to Sunderland production. It will be manufactured alongside the Nissan Qashqai, Juke and LEAF, creating a broader electrified lineup at the UK plant.
Production will support customers in the UK, Europe and Turkey, with the Kicks joining Nissan’s European crossover range as a compact B-segment model.
Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson of Nissan’s AMIEO Region, described the decision as an important step for the company’s European operations.
“Kicks is a compact crossover, with the unique e-POWER hybrid drivetrain, exciting design and innovative technology. Electrification with choice is what European customers want, and the introduction of Kicks will further demonstrate how Nissan has options for all.”
The European launch also follows Nissan’s announcement of the new PIXO A-segment electric car, which is scheduled to be unveiled next week.
Nissan Kicks e-POWER: Electric Drive Without Plug-In Charging
The defining feature of the European Nissan Kicks will be its third-generation e-POWER hybrid system, introduced in 2025 and comprehensively re-engineered to improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and enhance refinement.
Unlike a conventional hybrid, where the petrol engine can mechanically drive the wheels, Nissan’s e-POWER system uses the petrol engine exclusively to generate electricity and recharge the battery. The wheels are driven solely by an electric motor.
That configuration gives the Kicks an electric-car-style driving experience, including instant response, smooth acceleration and quiet operation, while retaining the convenience of refuelling at a petrol station.
For drivers who want electrification without committing to a fully electric vehicle, the system offers a different approach to hybrid technology.
Nissan has sold more than 1.9 million e-POWER hybrid models globally since the technology was introduced in 2016. That figure includes more than 200,000 Qashqai e-POWER models built in the UK, giving Sunderland an established production base for the technology.
Nissan Kicks Production Expands Sunderland’s Electrified Lineup
Nissan Sunderland already manufactures e-POWER versions of the Qashqai. The arrival of the Kicks will allow the plant to build on that expertise while adding another electrified model to its production portfolio.
Adam Pennick, Vice President of Manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland Plant, said:
“I’m proud to welcome this new model allocation for Sunderland. It’s the perfect way to celebrate our 40th year as a world-class manufacturing site.”
The Kicks will be the tenth model produced at Sunderland since 1986, following a succession of Nissan vehicles that includes the Bluebird, Primera, Micra, Almera, Note, Infiniti Q30, Juke, Qashqai and LEAF.
From next year, Sunderland will also manufacture the third-generation Nissan Juke, which will be fully electric for the first time.
Nissan Kicks Has Already Sold More Than 1.8 Million Units Worldwide
Although the European debut is new, the Nissan Kicks is already an established global model. The second-generation version is currently built in Japan, Mexico and Brazil, serving markets around the world.
Nissan says the Kicks has surpassed 1.8 million sales in more than 70 countries, providing the compact crossover with a substantial international customer base before its European arrival.
The European version will add a new e-POWER option to Nissan’s lineup, complementing the company’s existing petrol, hybrid and fully electric offerings.
Sunderland Plant Reaches 12 Million Vehicles After 40 Years
The £170 million Kicks investment arrives at a significant moment for Nissan’s UK manufacturing operation.
Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK has grown into the UK’s largest single-site car manufacturing plant, supported by approximately £5 billion in investment over four decades. The Sunderland facility has built vehicles for more than 100 markets worldwide.
The plant currently employs around 6,000 people directly and supports a further 30,000 jobs across its supply chain.
Its latest production milestone—12 million vehicles—equates to an average of approximately one car every 1 minute and 45 seconds since production began.
UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the decision, describing Sunderland’s role in British manufacturing as a major contributor to the North East’s automotive industry.
“The decision to build this new model in Sunderland is a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s manufacturing expertise and automotive future.”
What the Nissan Kicks Announcement Means for Europe
The European arrival of the Nissan Kicks e-POWER gives the company another compact crossover with an electrified powertrain, while allowing Nissan to expand production at one of its most important manufacturing sites.
The model’s combination of electric-motor drive and petrol-powered electricity generation positions it between conventional hybrids and fully electric vehicles. Its success in global markets also gives Nissan an established product to introduce to European buyers.
With the Kicks, the upcoming electric Juke and the existing Qashqai and LEAF, Sunderland is becoming an increasingly important part of Nissan’s strategy for electrified vehicles.
Nissan Kicks e-POWER Europe: Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Model | Nissan Kicks |
| European debut | Confirmed |
| Production location | Sunderland, UK |
| Investment | £170 million |
| Vehicle segment | B-segment compact crossover |
| Powertrain | Third-generation Nissan e-POWER hybrid |
| Wheel drive | Electric motor only |
| Petrol engine role | Generates electricity and recharges the battery |
| Markets supplied | UK, Europe and Turkey |
| Global sales | More than 1.8 million units |
| Global markets | More than 70 countries |
| Sunderland plant milestone | 12 million vehicles |
| Plant anniversary | 40 years |
| Next major Sunderland model | Third-generation, fully electric Nissan Juke |
Source: Nissan
