It was on this day in 1981 that Nissan first announced plans to build a UK factory in a move which sent shockwaves through the industry.

The Japanese auto giant eventually settled on an 800-acre site in Sunderland and, after construction work began on the plant in 1984, Nissan Bluebirds were rolling off the production line by 1986.

Producing around 500,000 cars per year, the site remains Britain’s most prolific car plant.

The Sunderland plant’s early success saw Nissan’s arch Japanese rivals Honda and Toyota soon follow their lead by setting up plants in Swindon and Derbyshire respectively.

CarSupermarket.com currently stocks a wide range of Nissan models, all of which can be purchased online from the comfort of your living room and delivered direct to your door anywhere in mainland Britain.

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