Nissan Aguascalientes Plant Celebrates Silver Anniversary

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico (Nov. 13, 2007) – The Nissan Mexicana plant in Aguascalientes today celebrates 25 years of operations. On November 13, 1982, work started in the aluminum plant of the complex.

The Aguascalientes plant, which has a total area of more than 1 million square meters (10 million square feet), has been remarkable, due to its renowned productivity and quality levels. The facility contributes 65% of the total production of Nissan vehicles in Mexico, and it also exports to 35 North and Latin American countries.

Its productivity level is one of the highest in Nissan worldwide. With the implementation of the two shifts-three groups (2S-3G) work scheme, the plant operates 23 hours a day, 6 days a week, for a total of 284 days a year, which adds up to 6,390 hours. On average, a finished vehicle comes off its production line every minute. Over 350,000 units are expected to be produced in 2007.

The Aguascalientes manufacturing complex is made up of two work areas: the Powertrain plant and the Vehicles plant.

The Powertrain plant includes the aluminum and gray iron foundries; the production of transaxles and assorted aluminum, iron and steel components for the assembly lines in Aguascalientes, Japan and the United States; and the assembly of four-cylinder engines.

The Vehicles plant is responsible for the stamping of the external parts of the car; the welding of the bodywork, in which 395 robots take part; painting, plastics injection and final assembly. Up to 3,140 versions can be manufactured depending on the models, destinations, colors, interiors, exteriors, types of transmission and engines. Next to the Vehicles complex is the test track where the behavior and quality of the vehicles under any conditions can be evaluated.

“If we look back to the past, we can easily place the moment when, 25 years ago, a new adventure began in this land that offered us a home. During this time we have experienced great satisfactions and moments of jubilation, thanks to the performance and competitiveness demonstrated by each one of us,” commented Mr. Francisco Carbajal, Director of the Powetrain plant in Aguascalientes.

The plant has produced more than 2 million vehicles. The models include the Tsubame (which was exported to Japan), the Tsuru, the Platina, the Sentra, the Tiida/Versa Hatchback and Sedan, as well as the Clio, in alliance with Renault. The Powertrain plant has produced more than 6 million engines since production began.

“The milestones set by the Aguascalientes plant in the history of Mexican industry during these 25 years of life were only possible thanks to the tenacity and dedication of each worker; to the devotion and commitment in each project; and to the conviction in seeking maximum quality by all of us who work here,” commented Mr. Armando Avila, Manufacturing Vice President of Nissan Mexicana.

Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and was established in Mexico in 1961. It has corporate, marketing and sales, manufacturing, distribution and design facilities in the cities of Aguascalientes, Cuernavaca, Mexico and Toluca. At present it employs over 10 thousand workers and staff. In 2006 it sold more than 220,000 vehicles in Mexico, with a 20% share of the market, and produced over 400,000 units for the domestic and export markets

Chronology of the Aguascalientes plant’s milestones:

1981 December: the first stone of the Nissan Aguascalientes plant was laid (dedication ceremony)
1982 November 13: the aluminum plant began operations
1983 April: the Engine and Stamping plants began to operate
1984 The Transaxles plant began operations
1992 April: 1-millionth engine produced.
1993 Aguascalientes became the first Nissan plant to export cars to Japan, with the Tsubame model
1995 March: the test track was put into operation
1997 April: production of 3-millionth engine
2002 Nissan puts the first vehicle from the alliance with Renault on the Mexican market: the Nissan Platina, which is produced in Aguascalientes
2004 February: production of 5-millionth engine
2006 July 31: the 2 shifts - 3 groups work scheme was established
2007 February: 6-millionth engine produced
March: production of 2-millionth car (Sentra SE-R)

Source: Nissan

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