
JATCO adds welcome drive to automotive sector
With the region’s automotive supply sector facing challenges of late, including slowing electric vehicle demand in some areas, news of JATCO’s arrival has provided a timely boost as we enter the new year.
The move by JATCO, Nissan and the Government, which has contributed £50 million, reaffirms the North East as a world-class location for forward-looking, sustainable automotive production.
On behalf of our members, we welcome JATCO and look forward to close engagement with the management team as it settles into life in the North East.
The new factory, set to produce advanced powertrains for Nissan’s future electric vehicles, will play a key role in securing and driving the North East’s contribution to the global electric vehicle market.
JATCO, a key partner to Nissan, will create 183 skilled jobs at the plant, with further opportunities for around 400 more jobs across the supply chain.
The new plant will be instrumental in the production of three-in-one electrified powertrains, which combine critical components, including the motor, inverter and reducer.
This technology will help Nissan’s Sunderland plant produce the next generation of electric models, including new versions of the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf.
These investments are part of the ongoing EV36Zero project, which is transforming the Sunderland site into a centre for electric vehicle production.
The Government’s contribution of £50 million further demonstrates the growing collaboration and commitment between industry and Westminster to build a competitive and sustainable electric vehicle supply chain.
The investment builds on the £2 billion already pledged by Nissan and its partners to modernise the Sunderland site, which will also include the construction of additional facilities, including a second gigafactory to supply the electric vehicle production lines.
This scale of investment strengthens Sunderland’s role as a hub for automotive innovation and manufacturing excellence.
The North East’s supply chains are a key element of our success in automotive manufacturing.
From high-quality component production to a skilled workforce, the region is well equipped to support the ongoing shift towards electric vehicles.
The first electric vehicle expected to roll off the newly transformed Sunderland production lines in 2025 will be the updated Leaf, which will transition to a crossover.
The North East automotive sector can take heart from this announcement and celebrate how it continues to adapt, evolve and lead, securing its place at the forefront of global electric vehicle manufacturing.
Together, we will continue to push boundaries and pave the way for the automotive industry of the future.
Paul Butler is chief executive of the North East Automotive Alliance
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