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Nissan Qashqai has passed four million sales in Europe, underlining the enduring success of a vehicle that is manufactured at the Japanese marque’s plant in Sunderland.
The milestone comes nearly two decades after the launch of the original Qashqai, a model widely credited with creating the crossover segment by combining SUV styling and driving position with the practicality and efficiency of a passenger car.
Every European-market Qashqai is designed at Nissan Design Europe in London, engineered at Nissan’s Technical Centres Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield and Barcelona, and built at Nissan's Sunderland plant, the UK's largest single car manufacturing facility.
Nissan said the achievement demonstrates the continued appeal of the Qashqai as customer expectations have evolved, with the SUV maintaining its position through advances in safety, connectivity, comfort and powertrain technology.
To mark the four-million-sales milestone, engineers at NTCE have launched a new video series aimed at helping owners make better use of the vehicle's technology and features. Entitled "Wait, My Qashqai Does What...?", the videos reveal functions that customers may be overlooking, from driver assistance settings and parking aids to luggage compartment flexibility and Nissan's Intelligent Key system.
The model's success has also been recognised through more than 110 international awards, including 20 Car of the Year titles across various markets.
Massimiliano Messina, chairperson for Nissan's Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania (AMIEO) region, said the sales achievement reflected both the strength of the product and the contribution of Nissan's teams across Europe.
He said: "Reaching four million happy customers across Europe is an incredible milestone for Qashqai and reflects the innovation, dedication and craftsmanship of our design, engineering and manufacturing teams, as well as the trust and loyalty that our customers have placed in the vehicle.
"Over the years, Qashqai has continuously evolved to meet the changing needs of drivers and families across Europe. We remain committed to developing technologies that make driving experience safer, easier and more enjoyable for all."
Since its launch in 2006, the Qashqai has progressed through three generations, continually adapting to changing market demands. One of the most significant developments has been the introduction of Nissan's e-POWER technology, a hybrid system designed to deliver an electric-drive experience without requiring drivers to plug the vehicle in for charging.
According to Nissan, the latest e-POWER-equipped Qashqai can achieve a range of more than 795 miles on a tank of petrol under WLTP testing, while delivering fuel economy of up to 65.7mpg.
Other technologies available on the current model include ProPILOT driver assistance systems to reduce workload during motorway and everyday driving, connected digital services, and one of the largest luggage capacities in its class.
David Moss, senior vice president for research and development at Nissan AMIEO, said the new owner-focused video programme reflected the commitment of the engineering teams behind the vehicle.
"Four million sales is a remarkable triumph and a testament to the innovation, quality and customer focus that have defined the model for almost two decades," he said.
"At NTCE, our engineers are passionate about creating technologies that make everyday driving safer, easier and more enjoyable. Through this video series, we're sharing their expertise directly with customers, helping them unlock the full potential of their Qashqai and get even more value from the vehicle they own."
The Qashqai also features prominently in Nissan's latest UK marketing initiative, Designed. Built. Loved. By Britain, which highlights the company's British design and manufacturing heritage. The campaign features music from North Shields-born singer-songwriter Sam Fender, whose home town is located close to Nissan's Sunderland operation.
The four-million-sales milestone provides further evidence of the model's importance to both Nissan and the wider UK automotive sector. From the design studios in London and engineering facilities in Cranfield through to final assembly in Sunderland.