The new Qashqai represents a £192 million investment in Britain and is being funded entirely by Nissan. It will build on the success of the current Qashqai, a best-seller for the brand across Europe.
The Sunderland plant will produce its one milllionth Qashqai later this month and more than 80 per cent of current production is exported to 97 markets worldwide. The production line has been running around the clock for more than a year to meet global demand.
The plant also produces the Nissan Note mini-MPV, and the Juke compact crossover which was voted Continental Irish Car of the Year 2011.
