NISSAN has been recognised as the largest car producer in the UK for the fourth year in succession.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that production at the company's Sunderland plant accounted for one in every five cars built in the UK last year.

The 331,924 cars produced on Wearside in 2003 was a record for the plant. The figure is more than 35,000 cars up on its 2002 volume, and nearly 4,000 cars more than the previous record, achieved in 2000.

The year-on-year increase was fuelled by demand for the new Micra, following its European launch last January.

A strong December took UK car production for last year to 1.65 million vehicles - a 1.7 per cent increase on the total for the previous year.

Output for December last year, at 112,444 cars, was 15.4 per cent up on December 2002 and was the best December total since 1999.

Last year's figures included a 9.4 per cent increase in cars made for export, but a 12.2 per cent fall in home production.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: "The UK is a major player in global car production and today's figures confirm that.

"With nine key manufacturers and a strong specialist sports car industry, Britain boasts a wider production base than any other European country.

"This continued growth is therefore particularly encouraging against a backdrop of falling output across continental Europe."