Electric Qashqai and Juke to be built in UK
Up to 2 bln stg total investment in UK
PM to host investment summit next week

LONDON, Nov 24 Reuters Nissan said on Friday it would pump 1.12 billion pounds 1.4 billion into its British plant to build electric versions of two models, offering a boost to the country39;s auto industry and a prime minister desperate to attract foreign investment.

The Japanese automaker said its plans for electric versions of the Qashqai and Juke, produced in Sunderland, northeast England, would require a total investment of up to 2 billion pounds, including a third battery plant in Britain and infrastructure projects that partners would help to finance.

The project is expected to receive government support.

Nissan has made its electric Leaf model in Sunderland for years and will continue to do so, with batteries supplied by a small plant at the site.

It announced a 1.4 billion investment in 2021 to build a second, 9 gigawatthour GWh battery plant in Sunderland with Chinese partner Envision AESC.

The deal fires the starting gun on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak39;s Global Investment Summit next week, when he will try to revive interest from overseas companies which, following Brexit in 2016 and political turmoil since, have cooled on Britain.

Making the UK the best place to do business is at the heart of our economic plan, Sunak said in a statement on Friday.

Nissan did not comment on the value of any subsidies or guarantees being provided…