The Nissan Leaf, one of the pioneering models in the electric car world, has entered the mass production line at its factory in Sunderland, England, with its third generation. The Japanese automaker has made a massive investment of over €500 million in this facility as part of preparations for the production of the new generation Leaf model.
The new generation Nissan Leaf is coming.
With this investment, the factory infrastructure has been completely modernized, and 137 new press molds shaping 42 different body parts for the vehicle’s production have been put into operation. To increase precision in the production process, 78 new high-tech robots have been added to the body shop, while a fully automated laser welding system operating with 0.3 mm precision and 475 autonomous vehicles transporting parts to the production line have been integrated into the operation.
The third-generation Leaf exhibits a radical change in design and segment. Leaving behind the compact hatchback structure of previous generations, the vehicle has been reshaped as a modern electric crossover built on Nissan’s CMF-EV platform.
Technical data shows that the vehicle offers a 75 kWh battery option and 150 kW DC fast charging support. The fully automated system on the new battery assembly line completes the process of installing a battery in the vehicle and tightening 26 bolts in just 56 seconds. Furthermore, as part of the localization of the battery supply chain, the AESC UK gigafactory established in Sunderland takes over cell production, providing a logistical advantage.
Finalized sales figures for the European market indicate that the entry-level model will start at approximately €37,000, while the version with a larger battery will be offered at around €42,000.
Nissan aims to increase its market share in the automotive sector with this new model, transforming its Sunderland plant into an electric vehicle production hub. The technological transformation at the factory not only increases production speed but also maximizes assembly quality. Shipments and sales to dealerships across Europe have officially begun with the start of this production.
