Sunderland may build Infiniti hatchback
Nissan's Sunderland factory could get the order from Infiniti to build its stunning new Etherea crossover.
The concept, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, previews Infiniti's take on the BMW 1 Series and Lexus CT 200h.
While Infiniti has confirmed it will make a version of the Etherea, due in 2015, exactly what it will look like is still up in the air.
Infiniti Europe boss Jim Wright, talking to Autocar, explained it will not be a 'me too' car, saying that “we have to be groundbreaking with a key point of differentiation.” Therefore, a traditional five-door hatchback may be ruled out.
The Geneva show car sits on the so-called Renault-Nissan C platform - the same that underpins the Nissan Qashqai. If the production version does too, there's no reason why Sunderland can't be chosen to build the car.
Speculation that Sunderland may get the order has come about because Infiniti's Japanese manufacturing plant is only equipped to make rear-wheel drive cars. The Etherea is expected to be front-wheel drive.
And while there are a number of other Nissan plants in Japan that could build the car, the UK is likely to be a significant market for Infiniti's luxury hatchback, strengthening Sunderland's case.
Speaking to Yahoo! Cars, Infiniti's Wayne Bruce said: “anything is possible at this stage. The Etherea has been built to test what the public say. Nothing has been decided.”
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