The production of the second generation of the NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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QashqaiNissan Qashqai 2Japan, 2014 > present89 versions
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has officially started, as the first vehicles have started rolling off the production line at the company's Sunderland plant.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in the UK, the QashqaiNissan QashqaiJapan, 2006 > present2 series
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is the best-selling Crossover in Europe and Nissan's best-selling model in Europe, having created a brand new segment on its launch in 2006.

Nissan hosted a ceremony to signal the start of the production in Sunderland, where from now on a Qashqai will be built every 61 seconds on the factory's Line 1. Thsi production line has been running on 24-hour operations since 2010 to meet demand, and it is also where the 100% electric Nissan Leaf is produced.

"The new Qashqai, with its bold design and segment-leading technology, will once again elevate Nissan to a new level, as the benchmark for the second generation of Crossovers and our flagship model in Europe,” said Nissan's Chief Performance Officer, Trevor Mann at the ceremony.

Sunderland part of Nissan's expansion strategy

The Nissan Sunderland factory has a very important role on the brand's European expansion, but also in the UK's automotive industry. The plant now has a workforce above 7,000 employees for the first time in the plant's 28-year history and supports a total of more than 40,000 UK automotive industry jobs in design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales.

The economic impact of Qashqai spreads from Sunderland across the world, with 664 million euros invested by Nissan in its development and production, supporting more than 224 suppliers in 22 countries, and exporting to more than 130 global markets.

UK Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron said: "It's great news that the new model Qashqai is rolling off the production line in Sunderland. Nissan supports 40,000 jobs across the UK, and when you add that to the half a billion pound investment that Nissan have made in this country for this new model, it shows how our long term plan is giving companies the confidence to invest and create jobs in Britain."