The first new Nissan Navara pick-up trucks have been built at the company's facility in Barcelona.

Paul Willcox, chairman, Nissan Europe, led the traditional Japanese Daruma ceremony to mark the launch of the NP300 Navara.

He said: "With the expertise of our team in Spain, a totally renewed production line in Barcelona, and our new five-year Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle warranty, Navara is further evidence that Nissan quality has never been better.”

The new model was engineered for Europe in Nissan’s Technical Centre (NTCE) in Barcelona, where the team developed the new 2.3 litre dCi engine and adapted noise and vibration, steering, suspension and brakes for European customers.

Production of the new NP300 Navara for Nissan in Barcelona will be followed by new one-tonne pickup trucks for both Renault and Mercedez-Benz, all of which will also share some common architecture.

Barcelona plant has capacity to produce about 120,000 vehicles annually for the three brands, which would see 1,000 new jobs created once full production is reached.

Frank Torres, managing director and vice president of Nissan Spanish Industrial Operations, added:  “The new product range in Barcelona point to a sustainable future for the plant and takes us towards our goal of producing 200,000 vehicles per year."