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For 40 years, Nissan and Britain have worked together to create some of the country’s most recognisable and widely driven vehicles.
The story began in 1986, when the first Nissan Bluebird rolled off the production line in Sunderland. Since then, British designers, engineers and manufacturing teams have helped shape models including the Nissan Qashqai, Juke and the pioneering all-electric LEAF.
The Nissan by Britain campaign celebrates the people, places and ideas behind this long-standing partnership – from the first design sketches in London to advanced engineering in Cranfield and vehicle production in Sunderland.
Many Nissan models begin their journey at Nissan Design Europe in Paddington, London.
The design centre is based inside the Rotunda, a building that was once a popular 1990s music venue. Today, it provides a creative home for designers from Britain and around the world, who work together to develop vehicles for modern European drivers.
The All-New Nissan MICRA was designed in Paddington, bringing a distinctly modern look to one of Britain’s most familiar motoring names. The Nissan Qashqai and Juke have also been shaped by Nissan’s London-based design expertise.
Once the design direction has been established, Nissan’s engineering specialists help turn those ideas into vehicles ready for everyday driving.
At the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, teams develop and test new vehicles, technology and electrified powertrains. The centre has contributed to the continuing success of the Qashqai and Juke, while also playing an important role in Nissan’s electric journey through the development of the LEAF.
This British engineering expertise helps Nissan refine performance, comfort, efficiency and technology for the roads and conditions experienced by drivers across Europe.
Nissan has been producing vehicles in Sunderland since 1986. Over the past four decades, more than 11.9 million cars have been manufactured at the site, making it the UK’s largest car plant.
Today, a new Nissan leaves the Sunderland production line approximately every two minutes. The facility produces British favourites including the Nissan Qashqai and Juke and is playing a central role in Nissan’s electric future through production of the All-New Nissan LEAF.
The plant also supports thousands of Nissan-connected jobs across the country, while the Nissan Skills Foundation has helped introduce 100,000 young people to opportunities in engineering and manufacturing.
The Nissan by Britain story can be seen throughout today’s Nissan range:
The Nissan X-Trail is not designed or built in Britain, but it also forms part of the wider campaign as a model enjoyed by British families and adventure-focused driver but is Loved by Britain's adventurers. Winner of its class in the What Car? Tow Car awards, in partnership with the Camping and Caravanning Club, for two years running7. X-Trail is designed to do it all.
Nissan’s relationship with Britain extends beyond its design studios, engineering centres and factories.
For many drivers, a Nissan has been part of an important life moment: learning to drive in a MICRA, completing years of school runs in a Qashqai, setting off on a family adventure in an X-Trail or choosing an electric car for the first time with the LEAF.
Those individual experiences have helped make Nissan part of everyday British motoring. The Nissan by Britain campaign recognises the people who create the vehicles and the millions of drivers who make them part of their lives.
At Glyn Hopkin Nissan, we are proud to represent a manufacturer with such a strong connection to British design, engineering and manufacturing.
Across our 12 official Nissan dealerships, our specialists can help you explore the latest Nissan range, including the All-New MICRA, Juke, Qashqai with new-generation e-POWER, All-New LEAF, ARIYA and X-Trail.
Explore the latest Nissan models, view our current Nissan offers or contact your nearest Glyn Hopkin Nissan dealership to arrange a test drive.
