It is the first demonstration of Nissan’s autonomous drive technology on public roads in Europe, representing the next step in the company’s Intelligent Mobility blueprint for transforming how cars are driven, powered, and integrated into wider society.
UK chairman of Nissan Europe, Paul Willcox, said: “We don’t just make great cars in the UK, we create future technology here too… Nissan Intelligent Mobility is happening right now.
“With future models secured and cutting-edge innovation being developed right here in the UK, we’re looking forward to a strong future of designing, engineering and manufacturing in this country for customers right across the world.”
It was a strongly worded statement by Willcox, which reinforces the message that Nissan’s foothold in to Europe will remain in the UK admit the uncertainties raised by Brexit, and that the UK is a vital part of the company’s continuing development of automotive technologies.
It follows recent announcements that both the refreshed Qashqai and the new all-electric LEAF due for release this year will be equipped with driverless technology to enable single lane autonomous driving on motorways.
Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) based in Cranfield is leading develops in to autonomous drive technologies as well as projects in to new advanced fuels and battery technologies, in collaboration with the Nissan Advanced Technical Centre in Japan.
