Qashqai cashes in as Nissan hits the top 10 best selling cars

Jun 5 2009 by David Old, The Journal

NISSAN is celebrating after its latest model made the top 10 best selling cars. It is the first time the car maker, which produces the Qashqai at its Sunderland plant, has made it into the list and comes as a boost to the firm which has endured a rocky year.

With a drop in demand due to the recession, Nissan was forced to lay off 1,200 workers earlier this year. But it was all smiles after latest Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders sales figures revealed the model had been a big hit.

A total of 2,629 Qashqais were sold during May, representing a 73% increase in the same period as last year. The crossover model was in ninth place of the top sellers list, ahead of several mainstream rivals.

And there was more good news for the firm with figures showing 4,562 Nissan cars were sold in May – only 7% down on 2008 in a market which is down 25%.

Nissan UK managing director Paul Willcox said: “We’re delighted with the Qashqai’s jump into the top 10 best sellers list. We know it’s one of the strongest models on sale in the UK, and this result is proof that the car-buying public agrees.

“Once again Nissan’s daring design has been rewarded, benefiting the UK manufacturing industry in the process.”