Japanese automaker Nissan is expanding its European lineup and preparing to launch the compact Kicks crossover in Europe. Production of the model will be established at the company’s plant in Sunderland, UK. The Kicks will become the tenth model in the factory’s 40-year history. It will be produced at the same site as the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF. The second-generation Kicks is currently manufactured in Japan, Mexico and Brazil, but the model will be new to Europe.
Nissan classifies the Kicks as a compact B-segment crossover. The European version will be equipped with the third-generation e-POWER hybrid powertrain, which the company introduced in 2025.
How the e-POWER hybrid system works
Unlike a conventional hybrid, the petrol engine in the e-POWER system is not directly connected to the wheels. It is used as a generator to produce electricity, while the wheels are driven by an electric motor. As a result, the powertrain behaves more like an electric vehicle, while the car does not require external charging. In the third generation, Nissan uses a 5-in-1 design that combines five main components of the electric system:
- electric motor;
- inverter;
- reduction gear;
- generator;
- step-up gear.
According to Nissan, the new design has improved fuel efficiency and acoustic comfort while also reducing energy losses. The third-generation e-POWER system is already used in the European Nissan Qashqai, which is also produced in Sunderland. The new system features a specially developed engine designed primarily to generate electricity.
1.9 million vehicles with e-POWER
Nissan introduced e-POWER technology in 2016. Since then, more than 1.9 million vehicles equipped with the system have been sold worldwide, including around 200,000 Qashqai models produced in the UK. The Nissan Kicks itself has also become widely popular, with global sales exceeding 1.8 million vehicles in more than 70 countries.
For Nissan, the European launch of the Kicks will form part of the company’s continued model lineup renewal. The automaker is developing several electrification technologies at the same time, including fully electric vehicles and e-POWER.
What lies ahead for Nissan’s Sunderland plant
Nissan’s Sunderland plant has been operating since 1986. Over 40 years, around 12 million vehicles have been produced there. Today, the plant directly employs around 6,000 people, while approximately 30,000 additional jobs are linked to its supply chain. Nissan’s model lineup renewal in the UK will not end there. The company has also announced the compact A-segment PIXO electric car, which is scheduled to be unveiled next week.
In addition, production of the fully electric third-generation Nissan Juke is expected to begin in Sunderland in 2027. The plant is therefore continuing its transition towards vehicles with electrified powertrains while retaining production of e-POWER hybrid models.
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