Nissan's Smyrna Plant Produces Its 7 Millionth Vehicle

SMYRNA, Tenn. (Aug. 2005) – Nissan North America’s Smyrna Plant produced its seven-millionth vehicle today – an all-new Aztec Red Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE.

The plant’s initial milestone unit was also a truck: Job One was a white 1983 Nissan Pickup.

“Seven million units marks a production milestone, highlighting 22 years of quality manufacturing,” said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president, North American Manufacturing and Quality Assurance. “Nissan is a company that’s growing, and our brand image continues to strengthen. Everyone who works in our operations is proud of the products we make for our customers and of the contributions we make to Nissan’s global performance.”

Nissan’s worldwide manufacturing operations are key to supporting the company’s global business objectives. During NISSAN Value-Up, the business plan for fiscal years 2005 through 2007, Nissan aims to achieve global sales of 4.2 million units measured in fiscal year 2008, to maintain the top level of operating profit margin among global automakers each year of the plan, and to achieve a 20% return on invested capital on average over the course of the plan.

In fiscal year 2004, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., set a global production record. Nissan’s manufacturing plants produced 3,378,000 units, exceeding its prior record by 293,000 units.

The Smyrna Plant has been in operation since June 16, 1983. Currently, five models are assembled here: Altima sedans, Maxima sedans, Pathfinder and Xterra sport utility vehicles and Frontier pickup trucks.

With the capacity to assemble 550,000 vehicles a year, the plant produces a new model every 28.5 seconds during full production.

When the Smyrna Plant opened, the company employed 1,300 people in a facility that covered 3.2 million square feet. In 2005, 6,700 employees work in the facility that has been expanded to 5.4 million square feet.

For the past 12 years, the Smyrna Plant has consistently earned its place at the top of the North American manufacturing efficiency study conducted by Harbour and Associates. In keeping with its commitment to the environment, the plant operates under an ISO14001-certified Environmental Management System.

The Smyrna Plant produced its first million cars in 1989, its sixth year of production. The two-millionth unit came off line just three years and eight months later.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.

Smyrna Plant production milestones 1 millionth vehicle July 1989 2 millionth vehicle March 1993 3 millionth vehicle July 1995 4 millionth vehicle December 1997 5 millionth vehicle November 2000 6 millionth vehicle July 2003 7 millionth vehicle August 2005