Nissan Tops in Manufacturing Report for 8th Straight Year

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FEATURING: The Harbour Report North America 2002

DETROIT, June 13 -- For the eighth-straight year, Nissan has set the automotive industry benchmark as the most efficient manufacturer in North America, according to the prestigious Harbour Report North America 2002.

"Manufacturing efficiency is an important key to being a successful automaker, as are product durability, quality engineering, pleasing performance and, of course, an attractive design," said Emil Hassan, senior vice president of North American manufacturing, purchasing, quality and logistics for Nissan North America, Inc.

"Our drive toward establishing long-term, profitable growth for Nissan in the United States and globally is rooted in all of these fundamentals," he added. "The design of our vehicles and the active involvement of our employees contribute to Nissan's world-class manufacturing reputation."

In achieving the top nameplate status, Nissan was ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in truck-making efficiency with the Frontier and Xterra. Nissan was ranked No. 2 in car assembly with the Altima, despite production losses due to the launch of the all-new 2002 model.

Nissan's Smyrna plant currently produces three vehicles -- the Nissan Xterra sport-utility vehicle, the full-line of Nissan Frontier pickup trucks, and the Nissan Altima, the 2002 North American Car of the Year. Beginning early next year, the Nissan Maxima flagship sedan will be manufactured in Smyrna.

Among the findings of the Harbour Report North America 2002 were:

* Nissan led all manufacturers with an overall measurement of 17.92 assembly hours per vehicle made. * Nissan's Frontier and Xterra lines ranked first and second, respectively, in truck assembly productivity. * Nissan's Altima line ranked second in car assembly productivity despite production losses due to the launch of the 2002 Altima.

In mid-2003, production will begin at Nissan's new assembly plant in Canton, Miss., which will manufacture an all-new Nissan minivan, a full-size Nissan pickup truck and full-size Nissan and Infiniti sport-utility vehicles.

"We are taking the industry-leading processes and systems we've developed at Smyrna and we'll implement them in Canton with some improvements," Hassan said.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissandriven.com and www.infiniti.com .