The campaign kicks off at the Hanover Motor Show later this month where Nissan will launch a new passenger version of the NV200 as well as displaying a zero-emission battery technology to be used on Nissan's future all-electric van.

Other highlights at the show include the arrival of advanced technology pioneered in Nissan vehicles and which are designed to make life easier and safer for the LCV driver and passengers.

Nissan also promises a world premiere of an important new range of vehicles that will take the brand into significant new areas of the LCV market – but hasn't revealed any more details at this stage.

'Nissan is deadly serious about becoming a major player in the commercial vehicle world. Despite the current economic crisis we are already selling more than 500,000 units globally. But by the middle of the decade we aim to be producing more than 1 million units annually,' said Gilles Normand, corporate vice president, Nissan Motor Co Ltd. 'And by the end of 2012 we expect to be selling commercial vehicles in over 90% of the world's markets.'

The growth will be fed by nine new models over the next three years, including the first developments from a major joint venture in India with Ashok Leyland. Nissan says it is also on the brink of entering the North American market with its new NV van series.

Nissan also recently announced that its second all-electric vehicle will be a light van. Using much of the technology developed for the LEAF passenger car, the battery-powered Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) is promised to revolutionise commercial operations in the world's cities. With no tail-pipe emissions whatsoever, the electric van will enable operators to access areas denied to conventional vans. Nissan presents at Hanover the battery technology that will propel the vehicle.

'Our display at Hanover and our future plans show that Nissan is serious about commercial vehicles,' said Mr Normand. 'Expect to hear much more from us over the next three or four years.'