Nissan Sunderland Plant have celebrated – and for all the right reasons. One million Qashqais have now been built, which makes it one of the most successful British built cars ever produced.
The landmark millionth vehicle was driven off the production line four years, six months and 23 days after production began on December 5, 2006. No other UK-built car has reached the million mark in such a short space of time.
The Nissan Qashqai is easily the highest-volume car produced in the UK. Future Qashqai production will safeguard the jobs of 6,000 people at Nissan and in the UK supply chain.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, said: “The Nissan Qashqai has been a phenomenal success since its start of production just four and a half years ago. Qashqai was a real crossover pioneer and producing one million in such a short space of time is a fantastic achievement, not just by staff at the Sunderland Plant, but also by the designers and engineers who developed such a popular car and our dealer network who have helped to generate such high demand.”
UK Business Minister Mark Prisk said: “The Qashqai is a success story for both Nissan and the UK. With the millionth car coming off the production line, the Sunderland, Cranfield and Paddington workforce should take great pride in its popularity.
It’s great news that they will be able to build on their success with the recent announcement that the UK has been chosen to design, engineer and build the new Qashqai model.”
Paul Everitt, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said: “The UK is home to some of the world’s most productive automotive facilities making cars that are in demand across the globe. Landmarks such as today’s announcement from Nissan serve to reinforce this, demonstrating the importance of manufacturing to our economy and its contribution to an export-led recovery.”
It’s a well done to everyone involved in production from Car Articles. So much so that I think I’ll keep saving for a diesel 4×4 Qashqai!
Please – how does one locate the website mentioned in this week’s Radio Times’ as ‘Win the millionth Nissan Qashqai?
I tried to enter, but the site eludes me! Maybe you would enter my name for me, please?
Yours sincerely,
Raymond L. Hardway (Dr).
PS I have a Nissan Almera Tino SE Plus Automatic of 2002 production. This has been an excellent vehicle for us.