The unexpected success of Nissan’s compact crossover in Europe -58,051 units since the Qashqai’s market launch in February ’07, has led the Japanese firm to the decision to add new capacity at its Kyushu plant in Japan to meet increased local demand and free up more capacity at its Sunderland plant in the UK for European sales. The Qashqai was launched in Japan as the Dualis in May ’07, and to date, it has sold 9,466 units in Nissan’s home market. According to the Japanese firm, production of the Dualis will begin in early 2008 at the Kyushu plant, with annual production expected to reach 24,000 units. We remind you that in June, Nissan announced a further £2.4 million (580 million yen) investment into the Sunderland plant to increase Qashqai production.
