Staff at car giant Nissan’s Sunderland plant were celebrating the manufacture of their one millionth Qashqai yesterday.

The landmark vehicle, a silver 2.0-litre diesel, will now be offered as a prize by the delighted firm.

Production began in 2006 and no other UK-built model has reached the million mark in such a short space of time, the company said.

Earlier this month Nissan announced that it will design, engineer and build the next version of the Qashqai in the UK, safeguarding thousands of jobs.

It employs around 5,000 staff at its ultra-productive Sunderland plant, a further 40 at the European design centre in Paddington, west London, and 500 at its technical centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.

British-built Qashqais are exported to 97 markets across the world. Less than 20 per cent of those built here remain in the UK.

The plant produces 1,200 Qashqais per day –about one for every minute the line is operating.

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 officer 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.