Powerful New Nissan Engine Makes Big Entrance; First Endurance V8 Produced for Nissan's New Full-Size Trucks and SUVs

DECHERD, Tenn.--Aug. 12, 2003--Nissan's entrance into the full-size automotive markets took a big step today as the first Nissan Endurance V8 engine was launched at the car maker's newly expanded engine plant in Decherd, Tennessee.

The new 5.6-liter, 32-valve DOHC V8 will be placed first into the new full-size Nissan Pathfinder Armada sport utility vehicle, which will launch tomorrow at the company's Canton, Mississippi, plant. It will also be placed in the Titan King Cab and Crew Cab full-size pick-up trucks, which will be launched this fall also from the Canton facility. The new engine will offer one of the highest standard horsepower/torque ratings in the full-size truck and SUV segments.

"Today is a big day for Nissan North America," said Emil Hassan, senior vice president, North American Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality and Logistics. "This first Endurance V8 engine represents an important step in our NISSAN 180 efforts to expand our automotive product line and give us greater growth potential globally. These innovative engines are going to power our full-size products, which will help us enter market segments in which we've never competed before. We're excited about Decherd's key role in achieving this growth."

The plant's V-8 engine employees gathered in the plant's main line area to cheer on the engine as it broke through a banner celebrating the milestone. From there, the engine was packed up and shipped to the company's newest automotive assembly plant in Canton, Mississippi, which will be building all of the brand's full-size products.

Built on a new state-of-the-art line at the engine assembly plant, the design of the Endurance V8 features an aluminum engine block with cast iron cylinder liners, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts with silent single-stage timing chain, microfinished forged steel crankshaft and camshaft, molybdenum-coated pistons and electronic drive-by-wire throttle for precise control.

In the Pathfinder Armada, the engine has 305 horsepower at 4,900 RPM, with 385 lbs.-ft. of torque at 3,600 RPM. In the Titan, the Endurance V8 will provide 305 horsepower at 4,900 RPM and 379 lbs.-ft. of torque @ 3600 RPM.

Opened in May 19, 200397, the 930,000-square-foot Decherd powertrain assembly plant has a capacity for building 950,000 engines and 300,000 transaxles annually. It will build all the engines for the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles manufactured in the United States.

Nissan has invested nearly $4 billion in its three U.S. manufacturing facilities. The Smyrna, Tenn., plant builds Nissan Maxima sports sedans, Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicles, Nissan Frontier pickup trucks, Nissan Altima midsize sedans and, in the fall of 2004, will begin building the all-new Nissan Pathfinder mid-size SUV. The Canton, Mississippi, plant builds the all-new 2004 Nissan Quest mini-van and will soon launch the Pathfinder Armada full-size SUV. It will next launch the Titan King Cab and Crew Cab full-size pick-up later this fall, a yet-to-be-named full-size SUV for Infiniti early next year and add additional Altima sedans, which are currently built at the Smyrna plant, by mid-2004.

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.nissannews.com or contact the corporate media line at 310-771-5631.