Prime Minister Cameron joins start of UK Nissan LEAF production

APR

2013

Renault-Nissan Alliance Team
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Prime Minister Cameron joins start of UK Nissan LEAF production

UK Prime Minister David Cameron was the star guests as Nissan began production of the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle at its Sunderland plant last Thursday.

Local production of the improved model, which includes more than 100 updates, a longer range and quicker charging,

is the culmination of four years of planning and a £420m ($640 million) investment in UK battery and EV production.

“It is a huge privilege as the British Prime Minister to be here at this incredible plant today celebrating this incredible new car,” said Cameron.

Together, UK battery plant and LEAF production help support 2,000 jobs in the nation’s car industry, including 500 directly at Nissan.

“Nissan has pioneered the first mass-marketed electric vehicle with the LEAF, with 55,000 people around the world driving everyday with zero emissions,” said Andy Palmer, Nissan Executive Vice President.

Palmer added that investment infrastructure will boost sales in Britain of EVs.

“In support of drivers considering making the switch to electric, last month the UK government announced new funds for a national charging network,” he said. “This put this country on the global map for EV infrastructure.”

The introduction of LEAF manufacturing to Sunderland follows Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant which began making the world’s best-selling EV earlier this year following production debut in Japan in late 2010.