Nissan begins production of Nissan Navara in Cordoba, Argentina
Nissan has delivered on its promise to Argentina by announcing the start of production of its Nissan Navara pickup in Cordoba, Argentina.
Representatives of the Argentine government and Nissan executives attended a ceremony this morning to officially kick off production and present the first Nissan Navara assembled in the country.
The ceremony was honored with the presence of the president of Argentina, Mauricio Macri, and other senior government officials including Juan Schiaretti, governor of Cordoba Province. Nissan was represented by the president and CEO of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Hiroto Saikawa; Jose Luis Valls, chairman of Nissan Latin America; and Diego Vignati, managing director of Nissan Argentina. Luis Fernando Pelaez Gamboa, president of Renault Argentina, also attended.
During the ceremony, Saikawa highlighted the importance of Latin America in accomplishing the company’s midterm plan, Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, which aims to achieve sustainable growth worldwide.
Valls said, “Three years ago, Nissan decided to bet strongly on Argentina. We announced the arrival of Nissan to the country as a subsidiary and OEM, confirming a big investment that supports our plan to become one of the top automotive brands in the region. Today, we are honoring that commitment and celebrating the start of production of the Nissan Navara. Today, we are delivering on our promise to Argentina.”
The manufacturing project in Cordoba is the result of a US$600 million investment to build a new, modern pickup assembly line as well as a test track specifically designed for pickup trucks. The project will generate about 1,000 direct jobs and 2,000 indirect jobs. Nissan will also work with local suppliers to create synergies that will be further amplified in the future to increase collaboration with local vendors.
With the start of production in Cordoba, Nissan Argentina joins the Nissan Navara global manufacturing network, alongside Thailand, China, Mexico and Spain, and consolidates its position as a key vehicle manufacturer in Argentina.
The new assembly line will have the capacity to produce 70,000 vehicles a year for Alliance partners Nissan and Renault – as well as Daimler – with 50% destined for export. Brazil will be the first country to import the Argentina-made Nissan Navara.
The Nissan Navara made in Cordoba is based on an 80-year legacy of global experience in manufacturing light commercial vehicles. It’s also the result of a two-year research project on driving conditions specific to Latin America.
The project brought together a team of 120 Nissan experts from around the world, including engineers and quality specialists, who joined forces to guarantee top Japanese quality, reliability and durability – on which Nissan has grounded its reputation and successfully positioned the Navara in the global pickup segment.
Manufacturing of the Navara in Cordoba is the result of the synergy and collaboration of Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi. Nissan, Renault and Mercedes-Benz 1-ton pickups will be manufactured at Renault’s industrial complex in Cordoba, the last being part of a collaboration agreement between the Alliance and Daimler. The three pickups will share structural components while preserving their own brand identities, design and distinctive features.
