Nissan starts production of third generation Leaf at UK plant

Nissan has started accumulation of the 3rd procreation Nissan Leaf astatine its Sunderland, UK, plant.

Building the caller Leaf successful the UK represents an concern of GBP450m by Nissan crossed its operations and proviso concatenation and marks the instrumentality of the car that pioneered wide EV accumulation much than a decennary ago.

Massimiliano Messina, Chairperson Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO), said: “Today is simply a momentous juncture arsenic we statesman accumulation of the 3rd procreation Nissan Leaf successful the UK, the electrical conveyance that started it all.

“Smart, sleek and aerodynamic, the all-new LEAF captures the vigor of a caller procreation arsenic a car that redefines what’s imaginable and sets the signifier for Nissan’s adjacent chapter.

“Leaf brings to beingness our satellite archetypal EV36Zero vision, which combines EV manufacturing, artillery accumulation and renewable energy.”

Nissan says it has transformed the Sunderland plant, enabling EV manufacturing connected accumulation ‘line two’ for the archetypal time.

Adam Pennick, Vice President, Manufacturing, astatine Nissan Sunderland Plant said: “Nissan has invested into our state-of-the-art works to physique the EVs of the aboriginal and determination is immense pridefulness and excitement successful our squad to beryllium gathering this superb car successful Sunderland.

“The skills, expertise and team-work of our radical person powered Sunderland’s success, and the translation of our works for caller Leaf demonstrates our enactment successful the travel to electrification.”

To enactment accumulation of Leaf successful Sunderland, the plant’s translation has included:

• Adoption of mill of the aboriginal exertion including intelligent usage of large data, virtual world and integer mapping of the plant

• 137 caller property dies (the elephantine moulds that are utilized to property LEAF’s 42 antithetic assemblage panels) successful the Press and Plastics Shop

• 78 caller high-tech robots successful the Body Shop, including a afloat automated laser welding facility, delivering precision to 0.3mm, to trade LEAF’s seamless roof

• New colour palettes successful Paint Shop to springiness LEAF its vibrant caller Sukumo Blue and Luminous Teal colours

• A state-of-the-art artillery matrimony installation successful Trim and Chassis. This afloat automated exertion brings the artillery into the car, applying 26 bolts successful 56 seconds

• 475 caller automated guided vehicles to present parts nonstop to the accumulation enactment for caller LEAF

• More than 360,000 hours’ grooming crossed the squad of 6,000 to physique the caller car

Nissan marked the commencement of accumulation of caller Leaf with a ceremonial adjacent to the accumulation enactment astatine Sunderland plant.

UK authorities Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Sunderland is the beating bosom of the UK’s automotive industry, and Nissan's concern is simply a large committedness to the North East and a immense ballot of assurance successful our economy.