Nissan Rolls Out First Xterra SUV From Its Tennessee Plant

19 April 1999

Nissan Rolls Out First Xterra SUV From Its Tennessee Manufacturing Plant; Unique Roll-Out Marks Nissan's First Sport Utility Vehicle Designed, Engineered and Manufactured in North America

    SMYRNA, Tenn.--(AutomotiveWire)--April 19, 1999--Celebrating the production of its first sport utility vehicle (SUV) completely designed, engineered and manufactured in North America, Nissan today rolled out the first Xterra SUV at its Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant. Highlighting the SUV's design for off-road driving, Nissan brought out the Job One Xterra covered in mud, proving that today's true SUV "looks good dirty."
    "Now that's how a real SUV should look," declared host Jerry Benefield, president and CEO of Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corporation, U.S.A. (NMMC), to a crowd of more than 1,500 cheering plant workers, Nissan executives and dignitaries. The celebration, attended by the presidents of Nissan's major U.S. affiliates, including Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA), Nissan Research and Development (NRD) and Nissan Design International (NDI), marks an important moment for Nissan. As the Japanese automotive company recaptures its place among the leading auto companies in the United States, Xterra represents the first Nissan vehicle to be North American-born and -bred -- an important strategy in the company's year-old turnaround plan.
    "Over the past year, Nissan has been working hard at getting 'back to basics.' The Xterra is the first in Nissan's line of unique and innovative products -- all part of Nissan's comeback plan to return to our roots of high quality, exciting and affordable cars and trucks," said Minoru Nakamura, president and CEO of NNA.
    "Our goal at NNA is to design and make more vehicles in the U.S., specifically for the U.S market," Nakamura added. "I can't think of a better vehicle to help us realize that goal."
    The Smyrna plant, which the Harbour Report named the most productive automotive manufacturing facility in North America for five consecutive years, plans to build at least 60,000 Xterras in its first full production year.
    "The Xterra has brought tremendous excitement to our plant," Benefield said, "We are proud of what we have accomplished with this vehicle, and we will build the Xterra with as much vigor as we have our previous lines."
    The excitement for the Xterra isn't only at the plant, as consumers and Nissan dealers are anxious to begin receiving them. In only a few months, Nissan has already generated more than 60,000 names of interested consumers, and dealers are continually getting calls asking when the Xterra will arrive.
    Speaking confidently about his network of Nissan dealers, Nakamura assured the nearly 1,500 NMMC employees on hand that "the Xterra is a home run for Nissan, and our marketing and sales force will ensure its success."
    Based on concept, size and ruggedness, the Xterra is a return to the soul of the original SUV. The affordable, mid-size SUV is based on Nissan's award-winning Frontier 4x4 pickup platform, giving it the solid foundation of a truck, with the functional versatility of an SUV. NMMC has already begun production on the newest version of the Frontier -- the 2000 Frontier Crew Cab, the industry's first compact truck with four doors.
    The Xterra name was chosen to help distinguish it from the slightly larger, more sophisticated Nissan Pathfinder. "Xterra" is intended to reinforce the connection to the earth (terrain) and the adventurous lifestyle of a younger, more active generation.
    The Nissan Xterra, developed in a record 29-month period, was designed at NDI in La Jolla, Calif.; developed, researched and engineered at NRD in Farmington Hills, Mich.; and manufactured at NMMC. Slated to arrive at dealerships in late May, the Xterra will be sold in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Prices will be announced closer to the on-sale date.
    Nissan has invested more than $2 billion in the United States to establish facilities for its design, research and development, manufacturing, sales, consumer and corporate financing, and marketing operations. More than 60 percent of the Nissan trucks and cars sold in America are built in America. Last year, Nissan purchased more than $3.8 billion in parts and materials from U.S.-based suppliers.
    More than 12,000 Americans are employed by Nissan directly, with another 58,000 American jobs supported by the Nissan and Infiniti dealer network, which is more than 1,200 strong. Additional information about Nissan North America, Inc. and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found on-line at www.nissan-na.com.