The future of Nissan’s manufacturing operations in Australia has been secured until beyond the next decade.
Nissan Australia has announced a deal to continue manufacturing parts for the Nissan Leaf electric car and 38 other models sold internationally.
The decision is a tremendous step towards securing the future of Nissan’s Dandenong South factory and its 160 employees.
The factory exports components to Japan, Mexico, Thailand, South Korea, UK and the US, and has also secured a deal to produce parts for a secret future model.
The new business adds to the 2.3 million castings and 25,000 vehicle accessories the factory currently produces annually.
In addition to its new business deal, Nissan has also been working with the CSIRO to develop a unique casting technology that eliminates valve blockages caused by molten aluminium, avoiding stoppages and saving up to $100,000 annually per component.
Managing director of Nissan Casting Australia, Peter Jones, said the new business deal would secure the future of its manufacturing operations in Australia beyond the next decade.
“This new business includes driveline components for soon-to-be released models, new motor technology and all-new propulsion systems not yet announced,” he said.
“These developments will see Nissan Casting Australia operating well beyond 2020.”
Nissan’s commitment to continue manufacturing in Australia is in stark contrast to the current state of the nation’s car manufacturing industry, with Holden announcing it will bring forward the redundancies of 270 of its workers to next month following lack of demand for its Adelaide-made Commodore and Cruze models.
Despite companies such as Holden and Toyota getting set to close their factories in 2017, Mr Jones said the latest Nissan deal was proof it was not all doom and gloom when it came to the state of Australia’s car manufacturing industry.
“Manufacturing is far from dead in Australia and we’re proof of this,” he said.
“Amid the turmoil that’s been reported about our country’s manufacturing sector, especially in the local automotive industry, Nissan’s been working away in the background.”
Victoria’s Labor Government welcomed Nissan Australia’s decision to commit its future automotive manufacturing operations in the state.
Minister for Industry, Lily D’Ambrosio, said the decision would help to secure the 160 jobs at the Dandenong South plant as well as create new ones for the state’s automotive industry.
“Nissan Casting Australia’s decision to stay in Victoria is a shot in the arm of our manufacturing industry which has been facing a series of challenges over recent years,” she said.
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to the successful transition of the automotive industry, and is working with the industry to cement Victoria as a centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing, design and engineering.”
Nissan also on the search for its next real world racing driver
In conjunction with PlayStation, Nissan will be once again offer its GT Academy competition which offers gamers the chance to live the dream as a NISMO Athlete.
The 2015 GT Academy competition will feature gamers from up to 21 countries around the world, with Nissan and PlayStation looking for the very best gamers to progress from the world of virtual racing to the real world of racing for Nissan.
For more details please visit www.facebook.com/GTAcademy
