It was confirmed on Thursday, July 1 that the company will bring hundreds of new jobs through the building of a new electric car, while a huge battery plant will be created in partnership with Japan-based Envision AESC.
Envision already operates a factory near the Sunderland plant, making batteries for the Nissan Leaf.
As the news broke on Thursday, we took a tour through Envision’s existing battery plant. Here are some pictures from inside.

5. Electric
Thursday's announcement represents the biggest job-creating project Sunderland has seen since Nissan arrived in the city. Photo: JPIMedia

6. 'Tremendous news'
Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Sunderland, Sir David Bell, said: "For everyone who lives, works or studies in the city, this is tremendous news." Photo: JPIMedia

7. Green revolution
Lei Zhang, founder and CEO of Envision Group, said the announcement was a "really important moment". Photo: JPIMedia

8. Gigafactory
Unite has warned that six more battery factories, like the one announced for Sunderland, are urgently needed just to ‘stay at the races’ as a nation. Photo: JPIMedia