NISSAN says a North-East made vehicle fuelled stronger sales in January.
The Sunderland-based firm revealed European sales hit 57,332 last month, which was higher than the 48,560 recorded in the same period last year.
The figures included 19,985 sales of the ever-popular Qashqai, with more than two million of the cars now having rolled off the Wearside factory’s production line.
Bosses added it sold 11,002 models in the UK in January, which gave the firm its highest-ever market market share in the month of 6.36 per cent.
It also sold 9,101 vehicles in Russia and 5,866 in France, which it said was 30 per cent higher than a year ago.
According to the figures, the Sunderland-made Juke and Note were also among January’s most popular, recording sales of 8,877 and 4,289 respectively.
Nissan’s Sunderland factory also makes the all-electric Leaf hatchback, and work is being carried out to expand the site ahead of production on the sporty Infiniti Q30.
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