The Qashqai, launched in March 2007, has already sold more than 70,000 units across Europe. And in July GBP2.4 million was invested in the plant to boost production of the hatchback/SUV crossover by 20%.

Now 180 manufacturing staff, currently working at the plant on fixed-term temporary contracts, will be offered full-time permanent jobs with Nissan.

Danny Griffiths, Nissan Personnel Director, said: "Typically we retain a certain number of staff on fixed-term contracts to give us a degree of operational flexibility and allow us to match production to market demand."

"Qashqai's continuing strong performance across all major markets puts us in the welcome position of being able to offer a significant number of these temporary employees a permanent contract at the plant."

"We will continue to review our staffing requirement on an ongoing basis and look to offer further permanent contracts as the business allows."

Including today's announcement, Nissan has made 440 temporary staff permanent in the last two years.

Around 850 Qashqai's roll off the Sunderland production line each day and, earlier this month, Sunderland produced its 100,000th unit.