Car manufacturer Nissan launched production on the third generation model of its electric Leaf vehicle last week. TOM KEIGHLEY was on hand as the line began rolling

NISSAN "led the charge" towards electric motoring its manufacturing boss in the UK told an audience assembled at its Sunderland plant last week.

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The Japanese car giant was marking the start of production of its third generation Leaf model 15 years on from the launch of its original predecessor, often referred to as the world's first mass market electric vehicle.

The Journal was given a guided tour of the Sunderland operation as several of the new look cars made their way along production line two, also watched by world motoring media and top executives from Nissan.

The success of the Leaf will be pivotal to Nissan, which has faced major financial challenges globally in the wake of sliding sales, failed merger talks and economic turmoil.

Adam Pennick, Nissan's vice president of manufacturing at the Sunderland plant, said the start of new Leaf production was an important moment for Nissan.

He said: "We were investing in EV well before everyone caught on.