LONDON (Kyodo) Nissan Motor Co. on Wednesday unveiled the Qashqai, a sport utility vehicle initially aimed at the European market.

Nissan introduced the compact vehicle at an event in Paris hosted by President and Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn, the automaker said in a news release.

"Inspired by the concept car of the same name that was presented at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai is a new vehicle for Nissan in Europe, with sales starting in February 2007," Nissan said.