Today, Nissan’s Sunderland Plant celebrates the production launch of the all-new Juke compact sports crossover. Juke combines the best attributes of an SUV and a sports car and will offer a refreshing and dynamic alternative to the traditional small hatchback when it goes on sale across Europe next month.

Juke looks set to continue the success of Qashqai – its bigger brother – as Nissan has already received more than 22,500 pre-orders across Europe since the order books opened in June. Based on this, Sunderland expects to produce up to 100,000 units each year making it the plant’s second highest volume model behind the phenomenally successful Qashqai. Note and Qashqai +2 complete Sunderland Plant’s current model line-up, while the Nissan Leaf zero-emission electric car is confirmed for production from early 2013.

Juke  represents £57 million of investment in the Sunderland facility. Its arrival safeguards 1,100 jobs directly at the plant and an estimated 2,000 additional posts across Nissan’s supply base. A £6.2 Mn Grant for Business Investment from the UK Government has crucially supported this project. It is expected Juke will contribute to a potential production volume of more than 400,000 units for the 2010 Financial Year which, if realised, would be a plant record. Trevor Mann, Nissan Senior Vice President of Manufacturing, Europe said: “Juke provides a much needed breath of fresh air within the small car segment and will play a key role in defining the Nissan brand in the years ahead. “Customers in this sector now have the opportunity to own a highly individual and innovative car that will reinforce Nissan’s position as a pioneer of crossover vehicles. “Congratulations to the Sunderland workforce for earning the right to produce what is their sixth new model in eight years. I would also like to thank both national and local government for their support, as well as the continued efforts of our all our suppliers.” Sunderland will ramp up to full Juke production volume in a plant record of two weeks, ensuring European dealers are fully stocked and ready for the car’s start of sales in late September.

The majority of Jukes produced in Sunderland will be exported into mainland Europe with the remainder destined for dealers across the UK and Ireland. Customers will be able to choose from three trim grades and one diesel engine.