As a number of model changes get underway, Nissan is considering moving more production to the United States. In recent interview, Nissan COO Toshiyuki Shiga said that the automaker’s growth will eventually require additional capacity.
According to Connecticut Nissan, in 2011, Nissan expects U.S. sales to top 1 million units for the first time since 2007. To meet increasing demand, the automaker plans to boost output from local plants. Already, Nissan plans to shift Rogue crossover production from Japan to its Smyrna, Tenn., plant in 2013.
“When you take account of next generations, like the Rogue which we are exporting 100 percent to the United States, there is no economic rationale to continue producing in Japan,” said Shiga. “It is not rational to change during the model’s life. The timing is for next generations. We will decide it one by one.”
Nissan Boston said that all vehicles in Nissan’s premium Infiniti lineup are currently produced and Japan. Even Infiniti production could move to the U.S., especially considering the brand’s tremendous growth.
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