THE launch of the newly revamped Nissan Juke has led to a jobs boost at the company’s Sunderland plant.

More than 540,000 examples of the crossover have been made in the UK since 2010.

The company has now invested more than £20m in the plant on Wearside as it ramps up production of the revised model.

The launch completes the refresh of the plant’s product line-up, following the start of production of the all-electric LEAF and the new Note and Qashqai.

In conjunction with this, Nissan has launched a recruitment drive for maintenance staff, with 50 new posts for experienced technicians up for grabs across its vehicle, engine and battery facilities.

Nissan’s Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, Kevin Fitzpatrick said: “The launch of the new Juke further strengthens Nissan’s command of the crossover market. With a new Qashqai and now a new Juke in production at Sunderland, the crossover has become part of this plant’s DNA.

“This significantly revised new Juke is another example of how we never stand still at Nissan, so we are looking for experienced maintenance professionals who can help us build on our recent achievements and support the efficient running of the plant.”

The Juke now features a new front and rear, a smaller turbo-charged engine promising greater performance, combined with better economy and lower emissions, higher equipment levels and a new panoramic glass roof.

Luggage space, a criticism from owners of the previous model, has been increased by 40 per cent and owners can now take advantage of a wealth of personalisation opportunities.