Nissan’s New Automotive Complex in Mexico
In a ceremony that fused Japanese and Mexican traditions, Nissan celebrated a historic milestone by setting the first stone of its new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes.
This is the third manufacturing complex in the country and the second in the state of Aguascalientes. The complex is the result of a $2 billion investment announced last January to increase manufacturing capacity needed to satisfy the demand for Nissan vehicles in the domestic and international markets.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including: Felipe Calderon, president of Mexico; Carlos Lozano de la Torre, governor of Aguascalientes; Hidetoshi Imazu, executive vice president of Manufacturing at Nissan; Bill Krueger, vice chairman of Nissan Americas; Jose Luis Valls, president and general manager of Nissan Mexicana; and Armando Avila, vice president of Manufacturing for Nissan Mexicana.
“The magnitude of Nissan’s commitment to this new automotive complex is without par. With this investment, we will be able to increase our manufacturing capacity from over 600,000 units per year, to more than 800,000 units by the close of 2013, continuing our record setting production rates in Mexico. And this is only Phase 1,” said Armando Avila, vice president of Manufacturing at Nissan Mexicana.
More than 250 guests witnessed the laying of this first stone, which is expected to bring to life one of the most ambitious manufacturing projects in Mexico’s history.
The new complex will be located to the south of Aguascalientes, near the airport, and will be 2.5-times larger than the existing plant. During its Phase 1, it will produce 175,000 compact vehicles per year (B-platform).
To achieve this goal, Nissan will create 3,000 direct jobs and generate approximately 9,000 indirect jobs. Furthermore, the complex will include a supplier park and a quality proving ground.
Phase I of this complex will be completed in 20 months and it will be operational by the end of 2013. Nissan´s expanded production will be supported by a network of suppliers based at the adjacent supplier park, as well as from other locations. Vehicles manufactured in Mexico by Nissan have 80 percent domestic content, says the company.
