The
Fourth Generation of Nissan's Best-selling Model Rolls Off the
Line
Photo: Nissan
SMYRNA,
Tenn. - Employees from Nissan North America's corporate
headquarters joined the manufacturing team in Smyrna to
celebrate the start of production of the company's best-selling
model in the U.S. market: the Nissan Altima. The first 2007
production model rolled off the assembly line today.
Manufacturing Vice
President Bill Krueger presented an oversized key to
Marketing Director Fred Suckow at the mid-morning
ceremony, symbolically handing off the all-new Altima
from the manufacturing plant to the sales and marketing
team. The Altima sedan then drove through a banner
stretched across the Trim & Chassis final line.
"The Altima is an
important car in the Nissan lineup, and the new model
builds on the strengths of the former model," said
Krueger.
"We took a lot of actions to assure a
high-quality launch. We completed two system trials and
two production trials to verify parts, systems and
equipment. Dedicated launch teams made the Altima the
total focus of a group of managers and production
technicians, and we had dedicated trainers on each
shift. We installed new equipment in several zones, such
as the rear subframe decking device, sunroof assist
device and front-end module decking device. And while we
were working within all our functional groups, Nissan
engineers were also working closely with suppliers to
assure their preparedness.
The
all-new 2007 Nissan Altima is evolutionary in design, but revolutionary
in its platform and hardware while offering new levels of quality feel,
enhanced comfort and available convenience features.
Along
with its distinctive styling, the fourth-generation Altima is built on
the all-new Nissan "D" platform with improved body rigidity
and a redesigned suspension.
The
new Altima also offers Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously
Variable Transmission), a choice of the award-winning VQ-series
3.5-liter V6 or powerful 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder engines, and a long
list of technology features - including available Intelligent Key with
Push Start Ignition, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, RearView
Monitor and an advanced touch-screen navigation system.
In
calendar year 2005, Nissan North America sold 255,371 Altimas. Altimas
produced in Smyrna are exported to Gulf Coast Countries, Canada, Mexico,
Puerto Rico and other countries. In fiscal year 2006, Nissan will export
approximately 40,000 Altimas.
Since
the production launch of the first Altima on June 11, 1992, the Smyrna
Plant has produced 2,448,367 units to date. With the addition of 284,640
units built at Nissan's vehicle assembly plant in Canton, Miss. - where
production started on June 14, 2004 - Nissan has produced 2,733,007
Altimas in North America to date.
