Nissan says global production of its cars is on the increase after announcing positive sales for January.

The Japanese manufacturer saw a 96 per cent year-on-year increase in production, up to 285,986 units.

With output of the new Fuga, Serena and export models all increasing significantly, the firm’s major markets all enjoyed an upturn.

In the US, production was up by 110 per cent year-on-year, while in Japan output increased by more than 83 per cent – with the UK showing a huge upturn, rising by 120 per cent as a result of increased demand for all models.

Global sales were also heartening for the company, increasing 36 per cent to 310,626 units in comparison to last year, heralding an all-time record for the month of January.

The positive news comes against a backdrop of tough times for fellow manufacturer Toyota.

The company, once famed for its quality and safety, is currently facing legal action over suggestions there are problems with a number of different models.

Hyundai has been named as Carmaker of the Year by the leading motor industry publication AM Magazine.

The South Korean manufacturer beat rivals Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Kia to take home the coveted award.

It was voted for by a panel of experts including the fortnightly publication’s editor, Jeremy Bennett, who said the brand was "pumping out high quality vehicles" and "selling them at the right price".

Hyundai’s UK managing director, Tony Whitehorn, said the brand has doubled its sales and strengthened its retail network, bringing exciting prospects for the brand in 2010.

It has made some changes to its successful scrappage scheme in 2010 too.

From the beginning of the year until February 28th, Hyundai has been offering additional savings on some models with its Top-up Plus scheme.

This means you could save £1,000 courtesy of the government-funded scheme then a further £1,000 from Hyundai.

Nissan will unveil its all-new Global Compact Car at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, it has been confirmed.

Just a matter of days ago, the Japanese manufacturer announced that it is to use the upcoming Swiss event to launch its new Juke, which it claims effectively combines ‘SUV toughness’ with sporting style.

Now, it has been confirmed that Nissan’s replacement for its Micra will go on show to the world in March, just before it is launched onto the Thai market.

According to the company, the new Global Compact car is the first Nissan model to be built on its new V platform, designed to minimise weight and thereby keep costs and fuel emissions down.

At the same time, Nissan has also revealed that it will be using the opportunity of the Geneva Motor Show to put forward a number of other new models, including its Leaf C-segment car, which boasts a zero carbon emission rate thanks to its all-electric motor, and which is scheduled to be launched in Europe at the end of 2010.

In addition, Nissan’s Qashqai, as well as its Pathfinder and Navara have also been given makeovers, with the results due to be premiered to delegates at the Swiss industry event.

Meanwhile, Nissan is also looking to boost its presence in the Middle Eastern SUV market with the 2011 launch of its new-look Patrol.

Further Nissan car parts will be manufactured at the company’s Sunderland plant after the announcement that Juke, its new model, will be built in the UK.

Making its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, Juke will feature all the benefits of the Qashqai but in a more compact form.

Going on sale in Britain in October, Juke was designed in London by Nissan Design Europe before plans were taken to the company’s Japanese design centre.

Paul Wilcox, managing director of Nissan UK, said the company is "thrilled" to unveil its new, "amazing" model.

"Over the past few months we have learnt more and more about the new small Nissan’s talents, style and appeal and we can’t wait to get another top quality British-built model into our showrooms," he commented.

The manufacturer hopes Juke will combine the appeal of sports utility vehicle with the traditional charm of a sports car.

Nissan confirmed earlier this month that its European market share had grown to its highest level for 12 months.

Car manufacturer Nissan has reported a 17 per cent increase in year-on-year sales in Europe this January.

The firm has shifted almost 43,000 vehicles on the continent and has seen its market share climb by a further 3.2 per cent, continuing its average monthly growth of around three per cent.

Despite the substantial increase in sales, the firm said volumes were still 25 per cent down on 2005 levels – however, sales were in line with the company’s projections.

Vice-president of sales operations at Nissan Europe Bernard Loire said: "Our market share of 3.2 per cent is the highest we have achieved since January 2009; this was a great result from all our teams in Europe."

"The outlook for 2010 is still uncertain in many markets but several major economies are coming out of recession and forecasting some growth this year, resulting in continuing strong demand for models such as Qashqai," he added.

Nissan’s Qashqai has proved massively popular and the firm is set to create 400 jobs at its Sunderland plant to cope with the high demand.

Increasing numbers of Nissan car parts will be produced at the manufacturer’s plant after the company announced the launch of a temporary production shift.

In response to increased demand for the Qashqai model, Nissan is recruiting an additional 400 staff on fixed-term contracts to ensure that supply does not run out.

Trevor Mann, the company’s senior vice president for manufacturing in Europe, said that its Sunderland staff have been "working incredibly hard" but that additional staff are needed to guarantee vehicles are delivered "as quickly as possible".

"Qashqai continues to buck the trend of a generally depressed market, and we have now identified the need for an additional shift to cover a high volume request in the first half of the 2010 financial year," he commented.

Mr Mann went on to say that the new staff will help to "fill the delivery pipeline" to its dealer network on the continent.

Earlier this week, Nissan’s Sunderland plant was recognised as the largest car production facility in Britain for the 12th year in succession.

According to car manufacturer Nissan, all small cars do not all depreciate in value at the same rate.

The firm claims that its city car, the Nissan Cube, is a residual value winner, with independent experts claiming that car will lose just 55 per cent of its value after being driven for three years or 30,000 miles.

Used car professionals at CAP have set the Cube’s residual value at 45 per cent.

According to Nissan, this means the vehicle keeps its value better than other similar sized vehicles.

Nissan’s UK managing director Paul Willcox said: "Depreciation is a crucial factor for any new car buyer to take into consideration before they choose their next new model.

"While one car might appear to be cheaper, once you have factored in what you are likely to get back when you come to sell, it might not look like such a bargain."

Recently, Top Gear picked the Toyota Prius as its City Car of the Year, citing its residual value as one of its pluses.

The number of Nissan spares being produced by the car manufacturer has been on the increase as sales are reportedly up.

In November the brand’s sales were up by 10,547 units – an increase of 31 per cent overall when compared to 2008’s figures.

It reported of a rise in market share (3.0 per cent vs 2.5 per cent) alongside said good performances throughout the last four months.

Bernard Loire, vice president of sales operations for Nissan in Europe, said: "Our November market share equaled our best monthly market share this year – which was well ahead of last year – continuing our consistent performance each month and growth of share in most major markets."

He added that the Micra, Pixo, Note and Qashqai still generated high demand although the brand is mindful of the impact that the end of the government scrappage scheme could have.

The brand currently offers its Note vehicle on the scrappage deal for cars over eight years old.

For those who think they are in need of Nissan car spares, you could look into buying a new Cube instead.

Said to place priority on function rather than form, this latest addition to the manufacturer’s range is far from conventional, claims Nissan.

Its UK managing director, Paul Willcox, said: "Here we have a car that will not only meet the functional requirements of a huge range of new car buyers, but also capture their imagination."

The motor has a curved interior which focuses on the best possible use of space, creating an area that the brand states is ideal space for relaxing when travelling and suitable for socialising.

Cube’s entry into the London Design Museum’s 50 cars that changed the world marks out the car as being a design icon, states the manufacturer.

Nissan adds that the Cube is "beautifully functional" with its designers referring to it affectionately as a "bulldog in sunglasses".

Standard features include a big triple-layered glass roof, to give a sense of atmosphere, with a Japanese inspired shoji rice paper shade.

The manufacturer also recently released the Roox, which is said to be another motor that focuses on maximum use of space.

Used Nissan parts will be the last thing on the minds of drivers who have decided to invest in the brand’s new Roox.

The minicar went on sale today (December 2nd) and was named as a result of the merging of the words room and max –which reflect the car’s spacious interior.

Described as a comfortable family vehicle, its interior seeks to alter Japan’s impression of what lies inside a minicar.

Roox’s exterior has taken some of its traits from Nissan’s Highway Star Minivans and is claimed to be both eye-catching and elegant, according to the brand.

It is also said to come top in terms of energy-efficiency as the K6A models (apart from the turbo) deliver fuel efficiency of 21.5 km/l2. This represents a 15 per cent upwards improvement in fuel economy greater than the standards set for next year.

Nissan provides a pan-European warranty for every new motor it sells from an authorised UK dealer operating in European countries.