Nissan is transforming its Canton, Mississippi, manufacturing facility into North America’s premier electric vehicle production hub over the next few years. The automobile manufacturer intends to commence building electric vehicles domestically, starting with two models of electric sedans by 2026.
Nissan reportedly considering building new electric sedans in the United States.
Since 2003, Nissan’s Canton manufacturing facility has been producing more than 5 million vehicles, but it will now transform into the company’s electric vehicle (EV) production and technology hub as the industry continues its shift towards electrification.
In a move aimed at bolstering its electric vehicle (EV) offerings, the Japanese automotive giant committed $500 million in early February to revamp its Canton plant, enabling the production of cutting-edge Nissan and Infiniti EV models.
Preliminary plans call for the construction of two new electric vehicle (EV) models from Nissan and Infiniti, with production scheduled to commence in 2025. In accordance with Nissan’s supplier manufacturing schedule through, the company plans to debut two electric sedan models by 2026.
By 2024, Nissan plans to roll out a limited selection of electric crossovers. The plant’s expansive terrain provides a conducive environment for growth and development. In alignment with AutoForecast options, the Canton facility is currently running at approximately 55% of its 410,000-annual-capacity utilization.
Nissan’s electrical transition
David Johnson, Senior Vice Chairman of Production and Procurement Administration at Nissan North America, oversees the plant’s metamorphosis.
Johnson predicted last week that Canton could become North America’s electrification hub over the next five to six years. He explained, “That’s where we’ll unveil the new platforms, the new technology.”
As a pioneer in the electric vehicle (EV) market, Nissan’s release of the LEAF in 2010 marked a significant milestone, making it one of the first mass-market EVs. However, since then, the company has faced challenges in keeping pace with Tesla and the industry’s rapid advancements?
Following a prolonged development period of over a decade, Nissan finally unveiled its second electric vehicle, the 2023 Ariya, a cutting-edge electric SUV. The Ariya deliveries commenced within the United States in late 2022, remarkably surpassing the sales of the nearly a decade-old LEAF during the first half of the year.
Nissan is drawing inspiration from its heritage, revisiting the lessons learned from its pioneering electric vehicles and applying them to the design of its next-generation EVs. Johnson explained that these are entirely novel digital platforms requiring fresh skillsets and enhanced network capabilities.
What if Canton became a pioneer in electric vehicles?
The manufacturing technique, a potential game-changer in response to Johnson’s query. He emphasized the importance of “knowing” before “teaching,” stating that one must initially adapt oneself to the new knowledge before deciding how best to train others within the facility on its application, be it related to products or manufacturing processes.
Nissan’s forthcoming electric vehicle (EV) platforms are poised to simplify production processes through enhanced automation capabilities. According to the corporation, approximately one-fifth of the trim and chassis work is currently automated for electric vehicles (EVs), whereas only 6-10% is automated for internal combustion engine (ICE) cars.
CEO Johnson delivers a clear directive to the team: focus on the Electric Vehicle product family as top priority. He mentioned:
As the end of an automobile’s lifespan approaches, it’s acceptable to compromise on performance in the final months to optimize for the start of the next one? While you may not sacrifice your future prospects by consistently working towards your goals today.
Nissan is poised to unveil its readiness for the future. Despite the meeting’s projected timeline extending beyond the next 12 months, training for the team has already commenced.
The automaker is dispatching its most experienced engineers and technicians from the Canton plant to Japan, where they will immerse themselves in the latest cutting-edge automobile technology and manufacturing methodologies harnessing the power of digital reality and advanced software platforms.
Within the next 12 months, the team will transition seamlessly from virtual reality to actual meetings once the necessary equipment is installed. By 2030, Nissan aims to secure a significant share of its total US revenue, with electric vehicles accounting for approximately 40%.
