Japanese car giant Nissan is to build a new electric model and huge battery plant in the 海角视频 in a massive boost to the automotive industry.
More than 1,600 jobs will be created in Sunderland and an estimated 4,500 in supply companies under an investment of 拢1 billion.
More than 拢420 million will be invested in building a new-generation all-electric vehicle.
The news was warmly welcomed by the Government and unions representing workers in Sunderland.
Nissan said its Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub will be a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem.
The car-maker will partner with Envision AESC, a global company in battery technology, and Sunderland City Council.
There will be three interconnected initiatives bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production, which Nissan said sets a blueprint for the future of the automotive industry.
Nissan president and chief executive Makoto Uchida said: 鈥淭his project comes as part of Nissan鈥檚 pioneering efforts to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire lifecycle of our products.
鈥淥ur comprehensive approach includes not only the development and production of EVs, but also the use of on-board batteries as energy storage and their reuse for secondary purposes.
鈥淥ur announcement today comes out of lengthy discussions held within our teams, and will greatly accelerate our efforts in Europe to achieve carbon neutrality. The experience and know-how gained through the project announced today will be shared globally, enhancing Nissan鈥檚 global competitiveness.
鈥淣issan will continue to leverage its strengths in electrification to become a company that continues to provide value to its customers and society.鈥
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: 鈥淣issan鈥檚 announcement to build its new-generation all-electric vehicle in Sunderland, alongside a new gigafactory from Envision AESC, is a major vote of confidence in the 海角视频 and our highly skilled workers in the North East.
鈥淏uilding on over 30 years of history in the area, this is a pivotal moment in our electric vehicle revolution and securing its future for decades to come.
鈥淐ommitments like these exemplify our ability to create hundreds of green jobs and boost British industry, whilst also allowing people to travel in an affordable and sustainable way so we can eliminate our contributions to climate change.鈥
Unveiling the Nissan EV36Zero at the Sunderland plant today, Nissan鈥檚 chief operating officer, Ashwani Gupta, said: 鈥淭his is a landmark day for Nissan, our partners, the 海角视频 and the automotive industry as a whole. Nissan EV36Zero will transform the idea of what is possible for our industry and set a road map for the future for all.
鈥淲e reached a new frontier with the Nissan LEAF, the world鈥檚 first mass-market all-electric vehicle. Now, with our partners, Nissan will pioneer the next phase of the automotive industry as we accelerate towards full electrification and carbon neutrality.鈥
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: 鈥淭his fantastic investment by Nissan and Envision AESC represents a solemn commitment to the people of Sunderland, bringing further high-skilled jobs and turbocharging our plans to level up the North East.
鈥淭his is a huge step forward in our ambition to put the 海角视频 at the front of the global electric vehicle race, and further proof, if any was needed, that the 海角视频 remains one of the most competitive locations in the world for automotive manufacturing.
鈥淚 am extremely proud that Nissan has not only reaffirmed its belief in Britain, but is doubling down on its longstanding commitment to our country.
鈥淭he cars made in this plant, using batteries made just down the road at the 海角视频鈥檚 first at-scale gigafactory, will have a huge role to play as we transition away from petrol and diesel cars and kick-start a domestic electric vehicle manufacturing base.鈥
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: 鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement of new investment into battery production in Sunderland is great news for the sector, the region and all those employed locally.
鈥淚t also demonstrates the 海角视频 automotive industry鈥檚 commitment to net-zero and that the transition to these new electrified vehicles can be 鈥楳ade In Britain鈥.
鈥淚f we are to build one million electric vehicles by 2030, however, we need more such commitments, with at least 60 GWh of gigafactory capacity in this country by the end of the decade. The future competitiveness of our industry depends on securing these investments but also wider support for manufacturing.
鈥淲e need a Build Back Better Fund to help manufacturing transformation, as well as a plan for charging infrastructure that will assure consumers to make the switch to these vehicles.鈥
