Nissan has now built more Qashqai crossovers during its six years of production in Sunderland than any other vehicle during its three decades of producing cars in Europe.

It has taken less than a decade for production of the award-winning crossover to surpass the record of 2,368,704 units, previously held by the Micra supermini.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant continues to produce around 1,200 Qashqais every day - one every 62 seconds, or 58 per hour - and by the end of February the total stood at 2,398,134 units.

No other car in the history of the UK car industry has gone beyond two million units in such a short period of time.

Colin Lawther, Nissan’s senior vice president for manufacturing, purchasing and supply chain management in Europe, said: “The Qashqai created an entirely new segment when it was first launched and continues to set the standard in crossovers, supporting a record period of growth for Nissan in Europe.

“The Micra is an iconic model for Nissan in Europe, made for 18 years in our Sunderland plant. To overtake it in half the time shows just how quickly our European customers have taken Qashqai to their hearts.”

The Qashqai is Nissan’s top-selling car in Europe. It’s also the best-selling crossover in Europe, requiring round-the-clock production since 2010.

Nissan is also poised to make the Qashqai a pioneer of autonomous driving. At the Geneva Motor Show it was announced that, from next year, the Qashqai will be Nissan’s first vehicle in Europe to feature ‘Piloted Drive’ technology. In the first instance, this will allow the car to drive autonomously and safely in a single lane in heavy traffic conditions.

Later this year Nissan will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Sunderland plant, which manufactures the Qashqai and Juke crossovers, the all-electric LEAF, the Note hatchback and the new Infiniti Q30 premium compact car.

Production of the new Nissan Micra – which is set to be launched in Q4 of this year, will take place at Renault’s factory in Flins, France, however.