Nissan this week opened its second new manufacturing facility in Purwakarta, Indonesia and launched its second all electric vehicle in Barcelona, both important milestones in the company's six year mid-term business plan, Nissan Power 88.
The 60,000m2 Indonesian facility includes body assembly, paint, trim and chassis operations and takes the total investment in new facilities in the region to £191m. With the expansion, Nissan has increased its production capability in Indonesia from 100,000 units per year to 250,000 at full capacity. The new plant will generate up to an additional 3,000 jobs in the region.
The company said initial production will be dedicated to assembling Datsun vehicles for customers in Indonesia.
At the ceremony, Nissan Motor Chief Competitive Officer (CCO) Hiroto Saikawa highlighted the importance of Indonesia and quality leadership. “By investing in a second plant in Indonesia and leveraging the global manufacturing capabilities of the Nissan Production Way, we are now able to further satisfy the increasing demand of Indonesian customers,” Saikawa said. “I have absolute confidence that the vehicles produced here will be world-class in terms of quality and that we will continue to deliver exciting products to our valued Indonesian customers.”
Nissan also confirmed the approval of their Low Cost Green Car (LCGC) program license. With this approval, Nissan will enter the LCGC segment which is expected to be the growth engine for motorisation in Indonesia.
Indonesia is a key strategic market for Nissan’s global business objectives. Nissan expects to sell more than 90,000 units in Indonesia in 2014. To achieve this goal, the company plans to increase the number of sales outlets from 100 to 130 during the year.
Nissan has started the production of its second all-electric vehicle, the e-NV200, which will soon be available in Europe as both a passenger vehicle and light commercial van. The ceremony was attended by Spanish Ministry of Industry, José Manuel Soria, Catalan President, Artur Mas; and the Mayor of Barcelona, Xavier Trias, who were welcomed by Nissan’s Chief Planning Officer, Andy Palmer.
The Nissan plant in Barcelona will be the global production site for this ground breaking zero-emission vehicle, which will be available as a light commercial van, passenger vehicle and electric taxi in the European market.
Representing an investment of €100 million in Nissan’s Barcelona Plant, as part of a wider €431 million investment in its Spanish operations, the e-NV200 will initially be exported to around 20 international markets, including Japan. Just as with the Nissan LEAF introduction, the number of markets will grow after the initial launch, to continue the company’s sustained electric vehicle expansion.
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. Chief Planning Officer Andy Palmer hosted the VIP guests at the event, adding: “This is a great landmark day for Nissan, starting production of our second electric vehicle. This is at a time when EVs are now recognized as mainstream technology. Many competitors are only just starting to launch their first EV – where Nissan has clear first mover advantage. We’re proud that the Nissan LEAF is the world’s best-selling electric vehicle with more than 110,000 delighted customers enjoying the quiet and smooth ride of an EV.”
Barcelona will be the first city in the world to introduce the e-NV200 as a 100 percent electric taxi, an initiative Palmer believes is vital for the city, continuing: “This e-NV200 taxi has renewed significance in the wake of record levels of air pollution in London and Paris. Bringing a significant number of zero emission vehicles to Barcelona’s streets will ensure cleaner air for every citizen, visitor and tourist, and we’re confident that forward-thinking councils everywhere will be clamoring to bring these benefits to their municipalities in the coming years.”
