NISSAN'S new supermini goes on sale in Japan this month - and thousands of UK workers will be hoping it proves a big success.

The March will be re-badged Micra and built at the firm's factory in Sunderland for European buyers.

As a result, it is a joint project between teams in Japan and Germany aiming for a car that will appeal to buyers around the world.

It is also the first car to share its major components with a Renault - Nissan's strategic partner.

Nissan hopes the small car can help it recapture part of the supermini market lost to rivals Toyota and Honda in recent years.

From the front, it has hints of VW's popular Beetle makeover with bug-eyes perched on the Nissan corporate grille.