Nissan Mulls Shifting Some Production to North America

March 25, 2011
Tennessee plant might be called on to make up for lost engine production.

Nissan yesterday said it is considering moving production of its VQ V-6 engines to its Decherd, Tenn., powertrain assembly plant to make up for lost production at its facility in hard-hit Iwaki, Japan.

The Iwaki facility is Nissan's only facility in Japan still offline after a 9.0 earthquake rocked the nation's east coast on March 11. The automaker noted that its Oppama, Tochigi, Kyushu, Yokohama, Nissan Shatai and Nissan Shatai Kyushu facilities are producing vehicles and parts while supply inventories last.

"As for the Iwaki engine plant, aftershocks are still heavily impacting the region, but as infrastructure such as electricity and water are gradually being re-established, restoration of the facility is accelerating," Nissan said today in a news release.

Nissan also noted that production of its Leaf electric vehicle and batteries resumed yesterday at its Oppama assembly and Zama battery plants.

"The ability to sustain production will depend to a large degree on the frequency of rolling blackouts due to electricity shortages," the automaker said.

In North, South and Central America, Nissan said "manufacturing operations intend to follow a normal production schedule through at least April 1."

Nissan noted that its operations in Mexico, Canada and Brazil "do not expect to be impacted by any supply or production constraints at this time."

The automaker said it has not decided whether to shift engine production to its Decherd plant. The facility manufactures engines for all Nissan and Infiniti vehicles produced in the United States.

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About the Author

Josh Cable | Former Senior Editor

Former Senior Editor Josh Cable covered innovation issues -- including trends and best practices in R&D, process improvement and product development. He also reported on the best practices of the most successful companies and executives in the world of transportation manufacturing, which encompasses the aerospace, automotive, rail and shipbuilding sectors. 

Josh also led the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.

Before joining IndustryWeek, Josh was the editor-in-chief of Penton Media’s Government Product News and Government Procurement. He also was an award-winning beat reporter for several small newspapers in Northeast Ohio.

Josh received his BFA in creative writing from Bowling Green University, and continued his professional development through course-work at Ohio University and Cuyahoga Community College.

A lifelong resident of the Buckeye State, Josh currently lives in the Tremont neighborhood of Cleveland. When the weather cooperates, you’ll find him riding his bike to work, exercising his green thumb in the backyard or playing ultimate Frisbee.  

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