Transmission manufacturer Jatco has officially opened a new factory in Sunderland, marking a significant investment in the UK automotive industry.
The £48.7 million facility will create up to 183 jobs and produce electrified powertrains to support Nissan’s nearby plant.
The factory, located at the International Advanced Manufacturing Park (IAMP), will focus on manufacturing Jatco’s 3-in-1 powertrains, which integrate a motor, inverter, and reducer into a smaller, lighter unit.
The site aims to reach a production capacity of 340,000 units annually by 2026, when it begins localised production for Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK).
Jatco CEO Tomoyoshi Sato celebrated the milestone, saying: “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. This is our fourth overseas production plant, following locations in Mexico, China, and Thailand.
“I am very grateful for the support of the UK Government, Sunderland City Council, and all others involved in the establishment of Jatco UK. I look forward to supporting Nissan’s EV36Zero project with these electric powertrains.”
The new facility, supported by a UK Government grant, has been hailed as a vote of confidence in the country’s automotive sector. Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds commented: “Not only will this boost our thriving auto industry, but it will help secure hundreds of jobs across the North East. The government is working hand in hand with investors to build a globally competitive electric vehicle supply chain in the UK.”
The partnership aligns with Nissan’s EV36Zero project aimed at integrating renewable energy with electric vehicle manufacturing. The project includes new electric versions of Nissan’s flagship Qashqai, Juke, and Leaf models.
Alan Johnson, senior vice president of manufacturing at Nissan AMIEO, highlighted the benefits: “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.”
