Along with the new Kicks to be produced at the Resende Industrial Complex in Rio de Janeiro, Nissan plans to export the second made-in-Brazil SUV to more than 20 countries in Latin America. The factory will also assemble an advanced turbo engine that will be used across the brand.
08 Nov 2023 | 3236 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Nissan, which has just celebrated its 23rd anniversary in Brazil, is preparing to start a new chapter in its history in Brazil and South America, in line with its global Ambition 2030 plan.
During a ceremony held today at its Resende Industrial Complex, in the state of Rio de ...
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Nissan, which has just celebrated its 23rd anniversary in Brazil, is preparing to start a new chapter in its history in Brazil and South America, in line with its global Ambition 2030 plan.
During a ceremony held today at its Resende Industrial Complex, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the Japanese automaker announced that it will expand its 2023-2025 investment plan, reaching up to R$ 2.8 billion (US$ 575 million), to produce two new sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and assemble turbo engine.
Addressing an audience of 2,400 persons, including all plant employees, government authorities and guests, Makoto Uchida, CEO and President of Nissan Motor Co., announced the next steps the company will take. He was joined by Claudio Castro, Rio de Janeiro State Governor, as well as Nissan’s top regional and country executives.
“Guided by our Ambition 2030 vision and taking into account the needs and realities of Brazil and South America, we have a local strategy that will ensure our transformation in the next few years. We need to demonstrate our commitment with new actions to build a strong foundation so that we can further evolve and contribute to meet our global objectives,” said Makoto Uchida, CEO and President of Nissan Motor Co.
This major investment will provide new equipment and a series of improvements that will support the production to make two new SUVs at Nissan’s Resende Industrial Complex. One of the models will have the mission of continuing the successful lineage of the Nissan Kicks, which is a success for the brand in Brazil and throughout the world.
The manufacturing development plan also includes the powertrain plant at Nissan’s industrial park, where today’s ceremony was held. The factory will assemble an advanced turbo engine that will be used across the brand.
In operation since April 2014, the quite ‘young' site will be given its first major revamp to strengthen its mission as an export hub. Nissan’s industrial complex already serves the local and some South American markets and it is planning to send its cars to more than 20 countries.
As part of this strategy to receive new products and always with a focus on production quality, the industrial complex introduced a second work shift in 2022 and created 578 additional jobs. Nissan will also expand its on-site supply chain. Just before the official ceremony, four new suppliers confirmed they would join the on-site Nissan facilities in Resende.
Nissan investments in Brazil to reach R$ 6.2 billion in 10 years
Nissan Brazil’s new investment consistently strengthens the company’s strategy in the local market and across South America. A total of R$ 2.6 billion were invested at the time of construction of the Resende Industrial Complex, which remains as one of the largest investments made by a carmaker in Brazil into building a manufacturing facility.
As a result, Resende follows modern manufacturing standards in line with the best quality and environmental practices with a comprehensive production cycle, from the press shop to plastic injection molding, body shop, paint shop, and quality inspection. In the following years after start of operations, new investments were made with a focus on improvements, to add new production technologies and advancements in ergonomics to enhance employee wellbeing further.
Since start of construction, including what will guarantee the production of the two new SUVs and the assembly of a turbo engine, Nissan’s investments in Resende are totaling R$ 6.2 billion, in 10 years.