Mississippi Auto Plant to Produce Nissan's First Full-Size Pickup Production Begins

JACKSON, Miss., Oct. 21, 2003 -- Automotive giant Nissan began production today on their first full-sized pickup truck, the Titan at their $1.43 billion manufacturing facility in Canton, Mississippi. The launch of the Titan is the third of five models to be produced at the plant. The plant will have the capacity to produce a total of 400,000 vehicles each year when fully operational.

The original 2.5 million-square-foot facility was expanded by 1 million square feet, and Nissan increased its $930 million investment in Mississippi by $500 million. The plant creates 5,300 jobs, with approximately 30,000 indirect jobs as a result of the plant's operation. Due to the state's expedience in development of the site pad, construction of the overall infrastructure, including roads and highways, the project was built in record time.

Governor Ronnie Musgrove praised the Nissan facility as further evidence of Mississippi's strong business climate and ability to compete internationally in attracting investments by major corporations.

"When Nissan announced Mississippi as the location for its new manufacturing facility, it sent a strong message around the world that Mississippi is a good place to do business," said Governor Musgrove. "This facility has proven Mississippi to be a serious competitor in the global marketplace."

"Our workforce is among the best in the nation and Nissan officials have continued to attribute the tremendous success of this plant to its employees," said J. Stephen Hale, executive director, Mississippi Development Authority.

"This plant is one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the industry, and we are thrilled to be a partner in making this plant a success story."

Officials at every level, both the public and private sector were successful in setting a record pace for the construction of a fully operational automotive plant considered as one of the most technologically advanced facilities in the industry. Mississippi assisted the fast track project by achieving construction requirements in only five months. Traditional site selection and preparation is estimated to take from 12 to 18 months.

In May, production of the Quest minivan, and in August, the Pathfinder Armanda began. The Titan is expected to be available in December. In Spring 2004, the Nissan Altima and an Infiniti SUV will be produced at the Canton, Miss., facility.