Nissan Smyrna Begins ’07 Altima Production

Job One for the ’07 Nissan Altima sedan took place Sept. 25 at Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.’s Smryna, TN, plant, the auto maker says.

Plant employees joined with Nissan North America Inc. staffers to celebrate the launch of the vehicle, which first went into production June 11, 1992, at Smyrna.

Since that time, 2,448,367 Altimas have been produced at the plant. An additional 284,640 units built since June 14, 2004, at Nissan’s Canton, MS, plant.

Bill Krueger, vice president-manufacturing for NNA, says the auto maker undertook a variety of steps to make sure the Altima launched smoothly.

“We completed two system trials and two production trials to verify parts, systems and equipment,” Krueger says. “Dedicated launch teams made the Altima the total focus of a group of managers and production technicians, and we had dedicated trainers on each shift.”

New equipment, such as a rear subframe decking device and sunroof assist device, also was added at Smyrna, Krueger says.

Last year Nissan sold 255,371 Altimas in the U.S. In fiscal 2006 the auto maker will export 40,000 units to other countries including Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico.

The ’07 Altima goes on sale in November in the U.S. A hybrid-electric version to be sold on a limited basis in the U.S. goes on sale this coming winter.