The plant employs about 4,900 people

More than 3.6 million cars in total have rolled off the production line at the Sunderland site, which employs about 4,900 people.

The landmark vehicle was a coral blue 1.4L Micra SE, which came off the line at 0710 BST on Monday.

The plant, which builds the Primera, Micra and Almera models, is Nissan's most efficient European factory.

The managing director of Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK), Colin Dodge, said the "million mark" represented a real achievement on behalf of the factory's workforce.

'Anniversary year'

He said: "Reaching the million mark for the UK market cements Nissan's position as an integral and important part of this country's automotive industry.

"Twenty years ago a lot of people doubted Nissan's ability to successfully locate here, so it's satisfying to have achieved this production milestone, particularly in our anniversary year."

In 2003, one in every five cars built in the UK was a Sunderland-built Nissan.

Since the new Micra's launch in 2003, Nissan has produced more than 250,000 of the cars for sale in up to 45 countries.

In 2005, the Micra range will be further boosted by the launch of the Micra Coupe Cabriolet, which will also be produced on Wearside.