Japanese automaker Nissan will invest $118 million to retool its plant
in Canton, Mississippi, to produce a new commercial vehicle, the first
of its kind for Nissan in the United States. A company statement says
production of the vehicle, which is scheduled to launch in the North
American market in 2010, will require a number of additions at the
facility, including the expansion of assembly and paint shops and
renovations such as wider aisles and lengthened chassis carriages. "The
expansion at our Canton plant represents a major step on the way to
Nissan's entering the commercial-vehicle market in North America," says
Dan Bednarzyk, vice president of manufacturing at the Canton facility.
"We realize this initiative means growth for Nissan in the U.S., and we
are proud these important products for the future of our company will
be built here in Mississippi." The new concept vehicle is being
unveiled at a national truck show in Chicago today. The Associated
Press reports that Nissan will discontinue production of the Titan
pickup truck and two sport utility vehicles currently being built in
Canton to make way for the new vehicle; production of the Altima and
other passenger cars will continue there.
