Nissan has announced a major commercial partnership with the O2, which will see it create a Nissan Brand Centre to promote its electric vehicles.

The three-year deal sees Nissan become The O2's exclusive automotive partner giving it extensive branding rights across the 20-acre site and the creation of the brand centre, which will open in July.

The centre will be used as the communications hub for the launch of the electric Leaf, which goes on sale here in March 2011.

"This O2 partnership is a first for Nissan in the UK. The O2 offers us the space, support and exposure to showcase the brand to over 7.5 million people every year and will become a focal point for an innovative and integrated strategy which will span the entire sales & marketing operation," said Paul Willcox, managing director, Nissan GB.

Branding and advertising across the interior and exterior of The O2 will initially focus on the Qashqai and will move to include the Juke, in advance of its September launch.

The Nissan Brand Centre will focus on zero-emission mobility, the launch of Leaf and will showcase innovation.

The three-year deal will see Nissan join a host of other major brands who have a founding partnership with The O2.