In March, Qashai (this model will be released as the Dualis in Australia) became the first Sunderland-built model in over a decade to be exported back to Nissan's home market. Now, the plant's Micra C+C convertible will join it in dealer showrooms across the country.

Although Japanese motorists have been driving the hatchback version of Micra since 2002 (when it was launched under the name of 'March') this is their first opportunity to enjoy the car in coupe/convertible form.

This is thanks to the C+C's unique folding glass roof, called C-VIEW(R), which raises and lowers automatically in just 22 seconds, at the push of a button.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Britain, C+C began rolling off the Sunderland production line in November 2005 following a GBP95 million total project investment. In that time, more than 23,000 have been exported to over 45 markets around the world.

The car marked the first on-site collaboration between Nissan and a supplier in the UK, with German specialists 'Karmann' manufacturing the roof module right next to the main production line.

The C+Cs bound for Japan will all be top spec models featuring 15" alloys, in-dash 6 CD autochangers, keyless entry and leather upholstery. All cars will be powered by a 1.6 litre petrol engine. Both manual and automatic transmissions are available.

Initially, around 1,500 cars will be shipped, with customer demand carefully monitored once the car reaches Japanese showrooms in July.

Senior Vice President, Manufacturing Europe, Trevor Mann said: "Coming so soon after Qashqai, this is great news for our plant.

"In March, I was explaining how demanding the Japanese market is in relation to Qashqai exports, so to have two of our products competing over there speaks volumes both about the quality of our employees, and the cars they produce.

"I think Japanese motorists will really appreciate the C+C. It's a very individual car with bags of character, it's highly manoeuvrable, fun to drive and the automatic glass roof is unique in its class."