YOKOHAMA, Japan – Twenty years after challenging conventional vehicle categories with the launch of Qashqai in 2006, Nissan is marking the model's anniversary with more than 7.3 million vehicles sold worldwide across multiple nameplates.
Across three generations, Qashqai has reached more than 100 markets and earned more than 110 international awards, including more than 20 Car of the Year titles.
From bold idea to global impact
First unveiled as a concept in 2004, Qashqai defied traditional vehicle segmentation and broke new ground in the automotive market. Following its production debut in 2006, Nissan expanded the model across global markets, including the Middle East, Latin America and Asia, as well as under different nameplates such as Dualis in Japan and Australia, Xiaoke in China and Rogue Sport in the United States.
Nissan expanded Qashqai's manufacturing footprint globally, with production starting at the Sunderland Plant in the UK in 2006, followed by Japan's Kyushu plant in 2007 and at Dongfeng Nissan in 2008. To date, Nissan’s Sunderland plant has manufactured more than 4.5 million Qashqai.
“With the first Qashqai, Nissan invented the crossover vehicle concept that now dominates the global vehicle landscape,” said Guillaume Cartier, chief performance officer, Nissan Motor Co. “That same daring spirit continues today with Qashqai e‑POWER, Nissan’s reinvention of the hybrid that combines the smooth and responsive experience of an electric powertrain with high efficiency and impressive driving range.”
Evolving through innovation
Across three generations, Nissan has enhanced the appeal of Qashqai with new technologies designed to meet changing customer needs. The introduction of Nissan's e‑POWER hybrid technology in 2022 gave European customers a new way to experience electric-motor driving. The system combines the smooth, responsive acceleration associated with electric vehicles with the convenience of driving without the need to plug in.
Building on this, Nissan introduced third-generation e‑POWER hybrid technology on Qashqai in Europe in September 2025, with a wider rollout to Latin America, Africa and Oceania. This marks Nissan's latest step in expanding electrification, reflecting its commitment to delivering practical, accessible solutions that meet customers where they are on their electrification journey.
Since its introduction in 2022, more than 230k e‑POWER-equipped Qashqai vehicles have been sold globally.
Celebrating 20 years of Nissan Qashqai
To mark Qashqai's 20th anniversary, Nissan has collaborated with digital artist @heymoonly to create a one-off vehicle design inspired by the early 2000s. The vehicle features a vibrant sticker-bomb livery and Y2K-inspired interior, complete with velour seat covers and a functional iPod playing music from the era.
Nissan is also launching the Nissan_Qashqai_Heritage_Collection , a digital archive featuring original design sketches, rare photographs, historical videos and key milestones from the crossover's 20-year history.
Nissan Qashqai: 20 years of milestones
- 2002 – Development begins: Nissan reconsiders its planned Almera successor in Europe and explores a vehicle combining passenger-car practicality with SUV characteristics.
- 2004 – Qashqai concept unveiled: Nissan presents the Qashqai concept at the Geneva Motor Show.
- 2006 – Start of Production: Qashqai makes its global debut at the Paris Motor Show. Production begins in Sunderland, UK, in December.
- 2007 – International rollout begins: Qashqai goes on sale in Europe, with more than 100,000 vehicles sold in the first year. Qashqai launches in Latin America, Japan as Nissan Dualis. Production expands to Nissan's Kyushu plant in December.
- 2008 - China production and launch: Local production begins in February, followed by the Chinese market introduction of the Nissan Qashqai (逍客, Xiaoke) in March.
- 2010 – New driver-assistance technology: Qashqai receives technology enhancements, including Nissan's Around View Monitor 360-degree parking camera system.
- 2011 - One million Qashqai vehicles produced at Sunderland: Nissan exports Qashqai to 97 markets worldwide.
- 2014 – Second generation introduced: Nissan launches the second-generation Qashqai with updated design and technology, including Intelligent Park Assist. Australia adopts the Qashqai name.
- 2016 – Global sales reach 3.3 million: By year-end, cumulative sales total 3.3 million vehicles across 137 countries.
- 2017 – North American launch: The model reaches the United States as Nissan Rogue Sport and Canada as Nissan Qashqai. Global sales exceed 4.5 million units.with
- 2018 - Cumulative sales in China exceed 1 million units, ten years after launch.
- 2021 – Third generation debuts: Nissan introduces the third-generation Qashqai with updated design, connected technologies and an increasingly electrified powertrain lineup.
- 2022 – e‑POWER hybrid introduced: Nissan adds e‑POWER hybrid to Qashqai, enabling electric-motor drive without plug-in charging.
- 2024 – 2024 – Qashqai Glory (逍客·荣誉) launched in China2025 – Third-generation e‑POWER hybrid introduced: Nissan introduces its third-generation e‑POWER technology on Qashqai in Europe, delivering improved fuel efficiency, reduced CO₂ emissions and a quieter drive compared with the previous system.
- 2026 – Qashqai celebrates 20 years: Qashqai and its related regional nameplates surpass 7.3 million cumulative global sales, including 4.1 million Qashqai vehicles in Europe. The model's lifetime award total reaches 110 globally.
Frequently asked questions
Q: When was Nissan Qashqai first launched?
A: The Nissan Qashqai concept debuted at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2, 2004. The production model was unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show and went on sale in Europe in February 2007.
Q: Why did Nissan create Qashqai?
A: Nissan developed Qashqai as an alternative to conventional family hatchbacks and traditional SUVs. It combined passenger car practicality and efficiency with SUV versatility and an elevated driving position, addressing customer concerns about the size and everyday usability of traditional SUVs.
Q: How many Nissan Qashqai vehicles have been sold worldwide?
A: There have been more than 7.3 million cumulative sales across the Qashqai model family as of October 2026. There have been 4.1 million sales across Europe.
Q: Has Nissan Qashqai been sold under different names?
A: Yes - Qashqai has been marketed under different nameplates in selected markets, including Dualis in Japan and Australia and Rogue Sport in the United States. In China, the model has been sold as the 逍客（Xiaoke. During that time the second-generation model continued as the Qashqai Classic (逍客·经典). It was updated and renamed as the Qashqai Glory (逍客·荣誉) in 2024 and continues being sold in China today.
Q: Where has Nissan Qashqai been manufactured?
A: Nissan Qashqai has been manufactured in the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and China, including at Nissan's Sunderland and Kyushu plants.
Q: What markets currently sell Qashqai?
Nissan Qashqai is available in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East, Oceania, China and Latin America.
Q: What markets currently sell Qashqai e‑POWER hybrid?
Nissan Qashqai e‑POWER hybrid is available in Europe, Africa, Middle East, Oceania and Latin America.
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