New Qashqai production starts

The start of the second generation Qashqai production at the Nissan factory in Sunderland in Northern England last week represents an investment of more than £3.5 billion by the company, and 80 percent of Qashqai production will be exported to more than 130 global markets, including Ireland, writes Trish Whelan. One in three cars built in the UK is a Nissan, and the company has been Britain's biggest car producer since 1998.

Over 7,000 people are employed at Sunderland but the company supports 40,000 jobs across the UK automotive industry jobs in design, engineering, manufacturing, marketing and sales.