JATCO, a Japanese automotive automatic transmission manufacturer, has opened a new manufacturing plant in Sunderland, the UK.

Located on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, the new facility will produce electrified powertrains, specifically the 3-in-1 module, for the adjacent Nissan plant.

The Japanese firm said it aims to achieve a production capacity of 340,000 units at the Sunderland plant.

The company is now starting to equip its new unit, which includes a detached advanced manufacturing facility with Grade A office space on International Drive in Washington.

This development is part of the establishment of JATCO UK, a new business division that will commence supply to Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) from 2026, coinciding with the expected completion of the facility.

JATCO CEO Tomoyoshi Sato said: “I am so proud to officially open JATCO UK in the North East of England.

“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 will be our fourth country for an overseas production plant, with other 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, and look forward to supporting Nissan’s EV36Zero project with these electric powertrains.”

The UK Government has supported the establishment of the new facility with a grant.

Nissan AMIEO Manufacturing, Supply Chain and Purchasing senior vice-president Alan Johnson said: “This is a fantastic step forward for our world-first EV36Zero plan. “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.”