Nissan Kicks E-Power confirmed for Europe with UK production
By William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive Officer, New Reg Limited
Nissan has confirmed its Kicks E-Power crossover for European markets, with the model set to be built at the company's Sunderland plant alongside the Qashqai and Juke.
Nissan is bringing its Kicks E-Power to Europe, and the model will be manufactured in the UK at the Sunderland factory, according to multiple reports. The decision adds a third nameplate to a production line already responsible for two of the brand's most recognisable crossovers, strengthening the plant's role in Nissan's European hybrid output.
The Kicks sits in the B-segment crossover class, a competitive space that includes the Juke already built at Sunderland. E-Power is Nissan's series-hybrid system, in which a petrol engine generates electricity to power a motor that drives the wheels, meaning the car operates much like an electric vehicle in day-to-day use without requiring a plug-in charge.
Imagery circulating across multiple automotive publications shows the new Kicks in standard form alongside a Rock Creek variant, which appears to take a more rugged visual approach with exterior styling details that differentiate it from the core model. The pictures give the clearest public look yet at how the production version will present itself to buyers.
The confirmation of UK production will be of particular interest to fleet operators and private buyers who prioritise locally built vehicles, as well as those watching Nissan's commitment to its Wearside facility. No on-sale date or pricing has been confirmed at this stage, and further details are expected to follow as the European launch approaches.