By FREDA LEWIS-STEMPEL, MOTORING REPORTER
Production of the third generation Nissan Leaf has commenced at Britain's largest car factory in Sunderland today in what the Japanese brand has dubbed a 'momentous occasion'.
And it couldn't be more true as the future of the North East plant and the manufacturer as a whole depends heavily on the success of this electric car.
The Leaf's sales legacy speaks for itself; since debuting in 2010, in the UK alone the Leaf has sold 71,000 units, with a quarter of a million made in 15 years, all of which have been produced at the Sunderland plant.
The 2026 Leaf is one of three new EVs that Nissan is hoping will reignite this kind of customer interest and inject some cash into its rapidly-diminishing coffers.
The Japanese car giant has had a tumultuous time of late, having posted a record net loss of £3.8billion last year, and announced a cost-saving plan in May that includes shuttering seven factories and cutting 20,000 jobs globally.
Sunderland has been spared the axe, though the sales performance of Leaf and its two electric siblings will now weigh heavy on guaranteeing the plant's future.
Rolling off the production line today: The all-new Nissan Leaf is being built in Sunderland as we speak, and is a key part of Nissan's attempts to get out of the red
Building the new Leaf in the UK represents an investment of £450million by Nissan across its operations and supply chain, and - for now - secures the future of the 40-year-old factory and 6,000 jobs.
Sunderland has been the home of Nissan vehicle manufacturing since 1986 and a major employer in the North East.
The third generation Leaf brings to life Nissan's first EV36Zero plan and marks the return of the car that pioneered mass EV production more than a decade ago.
Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO), said: 'Smart, sleek and aerodynamic, the all-new Leaf captures the energy of a new generation as a car that redefines what’s possible and sets the stage for Nissan’s next chapter.'
Messina added: 'Leaf brings to life our world first EV36Zero vision, which combines EV manufacturing, battery production and renewable energy.'
To get Sunderland ready for Leaf - Nissan's most advanced vehicle yet - has been a massive project.
The new Nissan Leaf is a completely new car, and is the old EV to be able to celebrate its third generation
Nissan has invested £450m across its operations and supply chain to build the Leaf, helping to secure the future of Nissan car making in the UK, as well as 6,000 jobs
The factory, which is part of the beating heart of UK automotive production, has adopted future technology including intelligent use of big data, virtual reality and digital mapping of the plant
Sunderland has been the home of Nissan vehicle manufacturing since 1984 and a major employer in the North East
Nissan has transformed Sunderland Plant, enabling EV manufacturing on production Line Two for the first time.
The factory, which is part of the beating heart of UK automotive production, has adopted future technology including intelligent use of big data, virtual reality and digital mapping of the plant.
Everything from the Press and Plastics Shop, to the Body Shop and Paint Shop have seen new ways of working and materials introduced.
Additions range from 78 high-tech robots in the Body Shop and an automated laser welding facility, to 137 new press dies [giant moulds used to press the Leaf's body panels] in the Press and Plastics Shop.
Nissan has invested heavily in its workforce too, upskilling them with 360,000 hours' training across the 6,000-strong team to build the EV that 'demonstrates Nissan's leadership in the journey to electrification'.
Nissan has given its 6,000 works 360,000 hours' training to upskill them to build the new Leaf
A stone's throw across the road, a brand new AESC gigafactory has been built to supply Nissan's new EVs with next-generation battery technology.
The batteries have increased energy density which delivers superior range and performance for the new Leaf.
Jim Marley, AESC UK Plant Director, said: 'The launch of our new UK electric vehicle battery gigafactory represents a significant leap in battery technology. It will power the new Nissan Leaf and drive the electrification of the British car industry to a new level.
'This gigafactory will anchor a resilient, globally competitive EV supply chain for the UK.'
The Leaf has been awarded the full, £3,750 Electric Car Grant from the DfT means that the Leaf starts from £32,249 for the Engage trim with the Band 1 discount taken into account.
Already affordable, the new Leaf now starts from £32,249 for the Engage trim with the Band 1 discount taken into account
Nissan's investment in Sunderland, and in particular the AESC gigafactory, is a key factor in the all-new Leaf receiving the government's full £3,750 sustainable Electric Car Grant.
Thanks to the grant the Leaf starts from £32,249 for the Engage trim with the Band 1 discount taken into account.
The affordability of the third generation Leaf is a central part of Nissan's cost-saving plan, which promises to deliver a 'more market-focused and brand-oriented' product strategy.
James Taylor, Nissan GB managing director, said: 'We’re absolutely delighted to be able to confirm Leaf’s pricing at £32,249 including the electric car grant, which will deliver an accessible route to EV ownership for our customers.'
A brand new AESC gigafactory has been built to supply Nissan's new EVs with next-generation battery technology. The batteries have increased energy density which delivers superior range and performance for the new Leaf
The government stepped in after the 'Re:Nissan Plan' backing Nissan with a £1bn loan to safeguard workers at Sunderland
The 'Re:Nissan Plan' centres its new lineup - of which the Leaf, Micra EV and forthcoming Juke EV are integral - 'around signature Nissan models that deliver strong nameplates'.
Ex-CEO Makoto Uchida said last year that falling behind in the hybrid and EV race was key to the company running up its largest-ever debt.
'This has been a lesson learned and we have not been able to keep up with the times,' he said. 'We weren't able to foresee that hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids would be so popular.'
Forbes analyses that 'the root of the problems stem from a wave of cheaper EV alternatives coming from China that are flooding the global market and stealing market share away from the Japanese company.'
Ex-Nissan boss Makoto Uchida said that Nissan has 'not been able to keep up with the times'
In December 2024, the Financial Times quoted a 'senior official' at Nissan as saying: 'We have 12 or 14 months to survive. This is going to be tough.'
The production of the Leaf at Sunderland doesn't just secure jobs at the site, but supports 7,000 jobs in total across Nissan's UK operations, including NTCE and its Design Centre in Paddington, London.
The company also supports an estimated 30,000 jobs in its wider UK supply chain.
Such is the significance of Sunderland the Leaf production that the government stepped in after the 'Re:Nissan Plan' backing Nissan with a £1bn loan to safeguard workers at Sunderland.