Nissan Begins $38.8 Million Expansion in Michigan

- Additions to Technical Center Adding More Than 260 New Jobs -

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. (NTCNA) said today it will embark on a $38.8 million expansion of its research and engineering facility northwest of Detroit to enhance the company's worldwide vehicle development capabilities.

During the next two years, more than 260 new jobs will be created at the Technical Center, nearly all of them high-wage, high-skill engineering and technical positions. Additional job growth is possible further into the future.

"As Nissan focuses on long-term, profitable growth, there is a need for expanded and enhanced vehicle engineering capabilities for vehicles sold in North America," said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, president of NTCNA. "Carlos Ghosn, our president and CEO, has made it clear that well-engineered, attractive, good-performing vehicles are at the heart of our company."

During the current fiscal year, which ends March 31, 2003, Nissan will introduce 12 all-new vehicles worldwide, with six of them coming to North America. Those vehicles include the Nissan 350Z sports car, the Maxima flagship sedan and the Murano crossover vehicle, along with the Infiniti G35 Coupe, the M45 mid-size luxury sedan and the FX45 crossover vehicle.

In the next fiscal year, Nissan will bring to the North American market an all-new minivan, a full-size Nissan pickup truck and full-size Nissan and Infiniti sport-utility vehicles.

"This puts a significant and welcome responsibility on NTCNA," Yamashita said. "We are very excited to play such an important part in the return of Nissan to prominence in the U.S. and global automotive industry."

The NTCNA expansion project involves new construction and the addition of new capabilities within the current facility. Included in the plan are: · An overall investment of about $38.8 million. · A total of 100,700 square feet of new space consisting of a new three-story engineering building (78,000 square feet), a new styling studio building (12,700 square feet) and a new testing operations building (10,000 square feet). · Reconstruction of some existing office space. · Modifications of infrastructure and support areas. · Additional parking lots and access roads.

NTNCA currently employs about 550 people at its Farmington Hills facility. Work connected with the expansion begins immediately. Construction of the new engineering building, the largest part of the project, will be completed by the end of 2003.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation today joined the City of Farmington Hills in providing inducements for the expansion of the Nissan facility.

"We have been a good corporate citizen in Farmington Hills since 1990," Yamashita said. "This project is proof that Nissan intends to expand its presence in the area and its contributions to the community."

Nissan Technical Center North America is the U.S. vehicle development arm of Nissan Motor Company of Japan. NTCNA operates a technical center in Farmington Hills, Mich., and has other facilities in Los Angeles and Sacramento, Calif.; Stanfield, Ariz., and Smyrna, Tenn.