Sunderland Nissan plant surpasses manufacturing record with production of Qashqui

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The Nissan plant in Sunderland has surpassed a manufacturing record for the highest single-name manufacturing total. 

Production of the Nissan Qashqui, at the Sunderland factory, has reached 2,368,705 units.

The previous record was held by the Nissan Micra supermini, where the total stood at 2,368,704 units.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant continues to produce around 1,200 Qashqai’s every day, and by the end of February 2016 the total stood at 2,398,134 units.

No other car in the history of the UK car industry has gone beyond 2m units in such a short period of time.

Nissan has now built more Qashqai’s than any other car in its three decades of manufacturing in Europe.

The Qashqui car has overtaken the Micra in less than 10 years.

Colin Lawther, Nissan’s senior vice president for manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain management in Europe, said: “The Qashqai created an entirely new segment when it was first launched and continues to set the standard in crossovers, supporting a record period of growth for Nissan in Europe.

“The Micra is an iconic model for Nissan in Europe, made for 18 years in our Sunderland plant.

“To overtake it in half the time shows just how quickly our European customers have taken Qashqai to their hearts.”

A new Qashqai is built every 62 seconds, or 58 per hour, at the Sunderland site.

Mr Lawther added: “Qashqai has propelled our Sunderland plant to become the biggest UK car plant of all time and taken Nissan sales in Europe to record levels.

“With autonomous technologies on the way from next year, Qashqai is helping Nissan raise the bar even higher for crossovers.”

The Nissan Qashqai will become a pioneer of Autonomous Driving.

At the Geneva Motor Show earlier this month, Nissan has announced that, from next year, the Qashqai will be Nissan’s first vehicle in Europe to feature piloted drive technology.

In the first instance, this will allow the car to drive autonomously and safely in a single lane in heavy traffic conditions on highways.

Other developments will follow.

Later in 2016, Nissan will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Sunderland facility.

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