The news that Nissan’s second all-electric vehicle will be built in Barcelona is another timely boost for the Spanish economy from the Japanese manufacturer.
The e-NV200 van will be based on the multi-award winning NV200, which is currently being produced at the same plant.
Around 100 million euros will be invested in the Barcelona facility and its suppliers, and the announcement follows last week’s news that the Avila factory in central Spain will also receive a similar sum to build Nissan’s new medium-duty truck.
“The e-NV200 will make a significant contribution to our aim of becoming the world’s largest LCV manufacturer by 2016,” said Frank Torres, vice president of Nissan’s Spanish manufacturing operations.
Nissan's Barcelona facility will begin production of the e-NV200 in 2013
Last year, Nissan achieved the historic milestone of selling more than 1 million light commercial vehicles worldwide in a single year, and the production of this new model is expected to create around 700 hundred new jobs at the plant and throughout its local supplier base.
Intensive evaluations of prototypes are being carried out in Europe to determine exact customer requirements.
“It will have a range similar to the LEAF’s, and a similarly smooth acceleration and responsiveness,” said Torres.
The e-NV200, aimed at both businesses and families, will come in three versions: a one-row van, a two-row van combination, and a two-row passenger variant.
“Of course, it generates zero-emissions as well as class-leading, low running and maintenance costs, making it an exceptionally attractive proposition to businesses and families,” added Torres.
The current NV200 van has already sold around 100,000 units and has been chosen as the next-generation New York City Taxi of Tomorrow.
2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi on the streets of NYC
Building on the success of this, the e-NV200 will go into production at Barcelona in late 2013.
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www.nissan-global.com