£50 million for electric powertrain plant

The car manufacturing company Nissan and the Japan Automatic Transmission Company (JATCO) have secured a £50 million investment package in partnership with the government to create a new manufacturing plan in Sunderland.
Not only will this plant be JATCO’s first and only European plant to produce 3-in-1 electric vehicle powertrains, the new site will also help create 183 new jobs in the region, supporting over 40 in the wider supply chain.
From 2026, JATCO will endeavour to produce 340,000 electric powertrains to electrc vehicles produced at Nissan's neighbouring Sunderland plant.
Tomoyoshi Sato, CEO of JATCO, said: "I am proud to officially open JATCO UK in the North East of England. And I am very grateful for the support of the UK Government, Sunderland City Council, and all others involved in the establishment of JATCO UK, and look forward to supporting Nissan’s EV36Zero project with our electric powertrains."
Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “Sunderland is the beating heart of the UK’s automotive industry. Today’s 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 it will help secure hundreds of jobs across the North East.
“The government is working hand in hand 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.”
This forms part of the government’s wider industry and net zero strategy, as the Autumn Budget confirmed over £2 billion for capital and R&D funding over five years for zero emission vehicle manufacturing and their supply chains.