Despite declining auto sales worldwide, Nissan announced plans today to expand its Canton, Miss. plant to produce a new commercial vehicle, according to a release:

"The expansion at our Canton plant represents a major step on the way to Nissan's entering the commercial-vehicle market in North America," said Dan Bednarzyk, vice president, Manufacturing - Canton. "We realize this initiative means growth for Nissan in the U.S. and we are proud these important products for the future of our company will be built here in Mississippi."

Beginning next year, Nissan's Canton plant will build CVs developed specifically for the North American market. The company will invest $118 million to expand Canton's facilities to manufacture CVs.

Nissan unveiled the NV2500 concept vehicle at an industry trade show in Chicago, and will introduce the vehicle in time for the 2011 model year.

Gov. Haley Barbour announced that he will assist Nissan's expansion.

"Nissan¹s decision to proceed with expansion at its Canton plant is a significant and welcome development. The company and state are great partners, and I have reserved a Go Zone allocation designed to help with this expansion," Barbour said in a statement.

"Nissan¹s investment in revamping and expanding its Canton plant as the only plant in North America producing these commercial vehicles is also a testament to the quality of Mississippi¹s workforce and our job training and development programs, which are among the nation's best."

In February, Nissan announced 20,000 layoffs worldwide, and has reportedly discontinued production of its Titan pickup in Franklin, Tenn., and two sport utility vehicles in Canton. The Canton expansion, however, is in response to an 8 percent growth in sales of commercial vehicles overseas.

Previous Comments

ID

144335

Comment

That's some good news for the local economy. We will take all the good news we can get in these economic times.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-03-04T16:50:40-06:00

ID

144347

Comment

I wonder how much this one is going to cost us.

Author

awordguy

Date

2009-03-04T21:49:13-06:00

ID

144353

Comment

That is good news. And surprising to me in light of this economy, and all the talk I was hearing from people supposedly 'in the know' that it hasn't been a profitable operation.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2009-03-05T07:14:12-06:00

ID

144354

Comment

Not only that, but I know people who work at the plant and they had recently been working four-day weeks.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2009-03-05T08:42:36-06:00

ID

144356

Comment

It looks like the plant has stopped producing some SUVs, so before they've completed retooling for the commercial vehicle, a slowdown for the auto workers is predictable.

Author

Ronni_Mott

Date

2009-03-05T10:03:55-06:00