NISSAN has denied reports that it will soon decide to build the next generation Almera alongside the Micra at its Sunderland plant. A national newspaper claimed the manufacturer, which recently decided to choose its factory in the North East to build the next Micra, will decide to continue Almera production there.

The move would mean a switch of production of the Almera Tino from Spain. A spokesman for Nissan said: 'The current Almera only went into production a year ago, and it will be about four years before we seen a new model. There is no factual basis for this story.'