Nissan's Decherd Plant Launches New Pathfinder Engine; New V6 Based on Award-Winning VQ Engine Series

DECHERD, Tenn.--Aug. 2, 2004--Technicians at Nissan's Powertrain Assembly Plant today launched the newest addition to Nissan's U.S. engine lineup, one that will be used in the first U.S.-built Pathfinder sports utility vehicle.

The 4.0-liter DOHC V6 engine is rated at 260-plus horsepower and 280-plus lb.-ft torque and will be available in the truck-based products built at the company's plant in Smyrna, Tenn. The power plant is derived from Nissan's award-winning VQ engine series found in the Nissan 350Z, Maxima, Altima, Murano and Quest, along with the Infiniti G35 sedan and coupe and the FX35. This version of the engine features a longer stroke than the 3.5-liter version and has been specifically tuned for SUV and truck applications.

The engine will be available in the 2005 Pathfinder, 2005 Frontier pickup truck and 2005 Xterra compact SUV. The Pathfinder is set to launch production later this month, followed by the Frontier this fall and the Xterra this winter.

"Our employees at Decherd have played an important role in Nissan's continued growth in the United States," said Dan Gaudette, senior vice president of North American Manufacturing and Quality Assurance for Nissan North America, Inc. "This new V6 is a great addition to our engine lineup. It will power our new 2005 Pathfinder, which is launching in a few weeks, and we'll use it in other vehicles. I'm proud of our Decherd team. Their efforts are key to us building cars and trucks that bring new owners into the Nissan family."

Like others in the VQ engine series, the new 4.0-liter version includes such advanced design features as Electronic Throttle Control with secondary mapping in 4LO (4x4 models), Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and platinum-tipped spark plugs.

The approximately 1 million-square-foot Decherd powertrain assembly plant, which opened in May 19, 200497, has a capacity for machining and assembling 950,000 engines and assembling 300,000 transaxles annually. It builds all the engines for the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles manufactured in the United States at Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton, Miss. In July, Nissan announced a $47.3 million expansion to the Decherd facility to add crankshaft forging to its operations. The 50,000-square-foot addition is expected to start production in summer 2006.

The Smyrna plant builds the Maxima and Altima sedans, the Xterra compact SUV and the Frontier pickup truck. Later this month, the midsize Pathfinder SUV will join the production line-up. The Canton plant builds the Quest minivan, the Armada full-size SUV, the Titan full-size truck, the Altima sedan and the Infiniti QX56 full-size SUV. In all, Nissan has invested more than $4 billion in its three U.S. manufacturing facilities.

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.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.