Nissan: to build electric car in UK plant from 2013

TOKYO, March 18 (Reuters) - Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) said on Thursday it would begin building the Leaf electric compact car at its Sunderland plant from early 2013, making Britain its third global production site for the zero-emission vehicle.

Nissan, Japan's No.3 automaker held 44 percent by Renault SA (RENA.PA), had already announced plans to make batteries for the electric cars in Sunderland, but had been considering several sites for European production of the car itself.

Nissan said in a statement it would start with annual production of about 50,000 Leaf cars in Sunderland. (Reporting by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Hugh Lawson)