An SMMT Regional Forum is coming to Sunderland, where leaders from some of the UK’s biggest electric vehicle, battery and component manufacturers will discuss how best to secure the future of the automotive industry in the North East, by delivering investment, growth and jobs for the region.
Recent analysis by SMMT has revealed how the automotive industry has committed £4.1 billion to the North East during Britain’s first ‘electric decade’. That represents around a quarter of the total sum invested nationwide by the sector since 2011, proving how critical the region is to the UK’s ambitions to ramp up electric vehicle and battery production on the Road to Zero.
The North East is well-known as an automotive manufacturing centre of excellence, home to one of the UK’s largest car makers and the first battery gigafactory in the UK, with investment in the area starting in 2011 with a £420 million commitment in Sunderland to build Britain’s first mass-produced battery electric car.
At least 7,000 highly-skilled, well paid jobs have since been created to produce electric vehicles and technology in the region. These workers helped turn out 47.5% (33,537 units) of all the battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made in the UK last year, with most of these zero-emission cars – critical products in the fight to address air quality and tackle climate change – built for export to global markets.
In addition to the recently announced expansion of the existing gigafactory in Sunderland, the area is home to 12 power electronic manufacturers, seven electric motor manufacturers, and is the base for the UK’s next planned gigafactory at Blyth.
Industry leaders, including senior executives from major investors Nissan and Britishvolt, will be joined by senior management from both Advanced Electric Machines, which designs and builds electric motor technologies, and Adient, a producer of car seats committed to sustainability. All the speakers will be looking to identify the best ways to exploit the region’s undoubted competitive advantage to drive further investment and growth.
Speaking ahead of the event, Mike Hawes, Chief Executive, SMMT said, “The North East is an automotive manufacturing hub for the UK, making products that are sought after across the globe while sustaining thousands of well-paid, skilled jobs. The region has seen more investment into electric vehicle and battery production than any other in the UK, highlighting its importance to the sector, the economy and the decarbonisation of road transport. But no region can rest on its laurels, so it is important that its competitive advantage is retained and further investment secured not just to create new jobs and growth but to bolster the UK’s shift to net zero.”
Alan Johnson, Vice President, Nissan UK Sunderland Plant, said, “It’s fantastic that the SMMT have chosen the North East to hold this important event. It will be a great opportunity to discuss the future for the industry, as well as Nissan’s own exciting electrification plans, which include EV36Zero – the world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem that we are building here in Sunderland.”
Keyword: SMMT Forum to discuss EV manufacturing in the North East