Jatco’s move follows Nissan’s £2bn investment in its own Sunderland-based EV facility in 2023, part of the automaker’s EV36Zero plan to develop three fully electric vehicle models.

Jatco’s CEO, Tomoyoshi Sato, expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating: “We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Nissan and we are delighted to bring the manufacture of our 3-in-1 powertrain to the UK.”

With a target production capacity of approximately 340,000 units at the Sunderland site, Jatco aims to strengthen the UK’s position in the global EV market.

Government and Industry Leaders Back Investment‍

Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds welcomed the announcement, describing it as a significant step for the UK’s auto industry and electric vehicle supply chain.

“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,” he said.

“Not only will this boost our thriving auto industry, but it will help secure hundreds of jobs across the North East.”

Alan Johnson, Nissan’s senior vice president for manufacturing and the supply chain, called Jatco’s investment a “fantastic” milestone for the company’s EV ambitions.

“Welcoming a key supplier to the North East of England provides a big boost to the efficiency of our supply chain. We look forward to continuing our long and successful partnership as we push towards our electric future,” he said.

Strengthening the UK’s Electric Vehicle Supply Chain‍

Established in 1970, Jatco has supplied over 129 million automatic transmission systems worldwide and has been a long-standing partner of Nissan. The Sunderland factory is expected to play a critical role in meeting the increasing demand for electric vehicles, further bolstering the UK’s EV supply chain.

As the region positions itself at the forefront of automotive innovation, the project reflects ongoing efforts to transition the UK to a greener and more sustainable future.

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