Nissan Leaf electric car to be built in Sunderland

Nissan is to build its new electric car - the Leaf - at its Sunderland plant, the Japanese company has announced.

Production is due to begin in 2013 as part of a £420m investment in electric cars.

The investment is backed by a £20.7m government grant and up to £220m from the European Investment Bank.

Senior Vice President of Nissan Europe, Trevor Mann, said the investment is "good news" for Sunderland.