Nissan Considers Halting New Qashqai at Sunderland While Leaf EV Production Begins

Nissan is considering shelving development of the new Qashqai model at its Sunderland facility, GB News reported. The step follows months after the company began production of the new Leaf electric vehicle at the same plant. The UK government is in advanced talks with Nissan on financial support for the Sunderland site.

Any funding would be linked to producing new models or variants and would require a long-term commitment and investment, five sources with knowledge of the discussions told Reuters. The Sunderland plant employs around 6,000 staff and is the largest employer in the city.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed the facility produced more than one-third of all cars made in Great Britain last year.

Nissan has quietly halted development of a full electric version of the Qashqai, its best-selling model in Europe. The Qashqai is the fourth best-selling car in the UK with more than 18,500 registrations. Nissan confirmed a £2 billion boost to the Sunderland factory in November 2023 earmarked for the third-generation Leaf, the Qashqai and the Juke.

Production of the Leaf began in December last year. The company recently confirmed it is closing one production line and will consolidate output from two lines to one. A Nissan spokesperson said the company already offers all-electric Micra, LEAF and Ariya models.

An entry-level A-segment EV will boost the lineup later this year and the UK-built Juke EV is scheduled for early 2027. The spokesperson added that the electrified portfolio also includes the Juke HEV and Qashqai e-POWER hybrid. Nissan's global restructuring plan includes selling or closing other factories and cutting around 15 per cent of its worldwide workforce.