Emphasizing a drift for Japanese automakers to modify more production abroad, Nissan took the squashing off its new March subcompact on Tuesday, which is being made in Thailand for sale in Japan.

Nissan Motor Co. said that it was setting up a unique inspection facility at its Oppama plant in Japan, which used to build the model, to do supplementary quality checks on the Thai-made March to guarantee that it makes the cut with scandalously fussy Japanese customers.

Answering a reporter as to why his presentation had focused on the car's green features, and not where it was made, Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said "We are not hiding that this was made in Thailand. It is important to deliver value to customers wherever we make our products".

The March that was formerly been made in Great Britain, will be made in India too, from where it will be sent overseas to more than 100 countries in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The model, called the Micra in Europe, India and Australia will be created in Mexico and China as well.

A home to many top automakers including Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co, Japan has long been a market where local manufacturers control supremacy.

Imports make up just 5% of the Japanese market, generally European opulence brands, such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.