Nissan U.K. Plant to Make Infiniti Model

Nissan Motor Co. says it will invest 250 million ($406 million) to prepare its factory in Sunderland, England, to begin producing a new Infiniti compact car in 2015.

The new model will be based on the Etherea hybrid sedan concept the company unveiled in 2011. Nissan is counting on the new model to help Infiniti attain its goal of selling 500,000 vehicles per year worldwide by 2016.

The Sunderland factory will have annual capacity to make 60,000 Infiniti cars for Europe and global markets, according to the company. Nissan adds that it has canceled plans to produce a C segment hatchback at the facility.