The Nissan Note is the fifth model to be produced at Sunderland

The Nissan Note has resulted in the creation of 200 jobs and has safeguarded 800 existing posts at the Sunderland plant.

Described as a compact MPV, 90,000 are expected to be produced each year, with up to 80% exported.

The company hopes a new plant record will be achieved when the Note hits full production in three weeks.

It is the fifth model to be build at Sunderland.

Trevor Mann, vice president of the Sunderland plant said: "If you look at what is happening in the motor industry in the UK, most of it is moving out of the country.

Family car

"The fact we can secure new models here is quite a big thing for us."

Last year production of the new Micra C+C marked a �95m investment in the Wearside plant.

Nissan will also produce another family car, called the Qashqai, later this year.

In 2004, 320,000 cars were built at the plant, of which 79.5% were exported.

Nissan's operations in Sunderland began in 1984, with the first vehicle coming off the production line in 1986.

The plant currently produces the Almeria, Primera and Micra models.