- Plant will produce All-New Navara, Nissan's new generation pick-up
BANGKOK, Thailand – Nissan today announced the opening of its second production plant in Thailand.
The new plant will be a production hub for the All-New Navara, Nissan's new generation pick-up truck, destined for export to 45 countries around the world, including Australia.
Thailand is a key market for Nissan, an integral part of its growth strategy in Asia. The country now boasts two plants and an R&D facility, and is increasing in importance as the company's Asian hub for exports and manufacturing.
Nissan has invested 3.7 billion Thai Baht (approximately A$122 million) in the 580,000 square metre facility, bringing with it 2,000 new job opportunities. Full production capacity is expected to reach 150,000 units per annum.
"Thailand is the engine of growth for us in the region, so we're excited to be opening this second plant today that will produce our latest pick-up," said Fumiaki Matsumoto, Nissan's Executive Vice President responsible for global manufacturing.
"It signifies our optimism for Thailand, as a growing automotive market, a centre of manufacturing excellence for the region and an export hub for the world."
More than half of the vehicles produced at this new plant will be exported to global markets. The localisation ratio of vehicles produced is already at 85 per cent, including the engine plant.
Nissan has also invested 162 million Thai Baht (approximately A$5.3 million) in the new plant's zero discharge program, and will recycle all industrial wastewater through the Reverse Osmosis (RO) process. Nissan will continue to provide training to subcontractors and employees to raise the awareness of waste management and resource reduction.
Nissan first produced cars in Thailand back in 1963 when four cars rolled off the production line a day. The new plant will increase Nissan's annual production capacity in Thailand to 370,000 units.
"The NP300 Navara is our most durable pick-up, integrating the best of Nissan's technological know-how, design skills and 80 years of pick-up production experience," said Takao Katagiri, Nissan's Executive Vice President responsible for Asia, Oceania and Japan businesses.
"With features such as LED projector headlamps with daytime running lights and the new 2.5L YD engine, I am confident this is going to be a popular model and will be our growth pillar in the region."
The new plant produced its first Navara pick-up on July 1. The All-New Nissan Navara will go on-sale in the Australian market in early 2015.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN
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