CAR manufacturer Nissan is about to unveil the model that will replace the Almera and decide the future of up to 1,000 jobs at the company's Sunderland factory.

The MPV-version of the Micra will be launched at the Paris Motor Show next week and it has been widely predicted by motoring experts that it will be the fifth Nissan model built in Sunderland.

A spokesman for the factory would not confirm the predictions. It is believed no-one at Nissan wants to pre-empt an announcement by Nissan chief executive Carlos Ghosn, expected to be made in Paris.

The spokesman said: "At this stage, it is just speculation. The situation should become clearer after Paris, but we are not able to confirm anything at this time."

The five-door, high-roof hatchback - a European version of the Note revealed last week in Japan - will be shown as a concept at the Paris Motor Show, which opens on September 25.

An announcement by Mr Ghosn will end months of speculation about the replacement for the Almera at the Wearside plant.

Last month, Nissan denied reports in a Japanese motor trade magazine that Sunderland had won the contract to produce the new Almera.

A mini sports utility vehicle, the Qashqai, unveiled by Nissan at the Geneva Motor Show in March, was also tipped to replace the Almera.

Speculation has also been fuelled by chief executive Mr Ghosn. Earlier this year, the Brazilian indicated he would be opposed to giving the contract to Nissan UK unless the Government committed to joining the euro.

Production of the current Almera hatchback will wind down at the end of the year to make way for the new model.

It is understood the new car is based on the Renault Modus platform and the styling features a rear hatch angled more vertically than the Micra's.

The Sunderland plant employs 4,500 workers, and has been named the most efficient car plant in Europe.

A decision to build the new car on Wearside would also be welcomed by the UK Government, which has given grants of £170m to the plant during the past 17 years