2005 Nissan Pathfinder Debuts at Smyrna Plant

Tennessee Governor Helps Nissan Celebrate Manufacturing `Job 1'

SMYRNA, Tenn. Aug. 30, 2004; The first North American-produced Nissan Pathfinder sport-utility vehicle (SUV) was unveiled today by Nissan North America and Tennessee state and local officials at the company's Smyrna manufacturing plant.

In a midday ceremony in the facility's pre-delivery area, the Job One 2005 Pathfinder, driven by two of the SUV's project managers, rolled off the line and into position on stage nose-to-nose with Job Two. Together, the vehicles illustrated Pathfinder's dual role as a roomier, family adventure-enhancing on-road SUV and an authentic, rugged off-road vehicle.

Dan Gaudette, Senior Vice President of Manufacturing and Quality Assurance for NNA, and Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen ushered in the all-new product before a crowd of Nissan executives, employees, state and local government officials and the media.

"The addition of the Pathfinder to the Smyrna plant roster is another step in the continuing growth story for this manufacturing plant and all of Nissan," Gaudette said.

"Employees throughout Nissan have used their collaborative experience to design, engineer and build an outstanding SUV. This is a quality Job One that, I think, consumers are really going to like."

"Tennessee welcomes the Pathfinder with open arms," Governor Bredesen said. "The people of this state and around the world are impressed with the workmanship and level of dedication found in Nissan employees at Smyrna and Decherd. I'm pleased to be with you today to celebrate another milestone in the State of Tennessee's longstanding relationship with Nissan."

The 2005 Pathfinder returns to its roots as an all-around performer, an automotive decathlete designed to be the best balanced vehicle in its segment with more room and versatility, a larger, more powerful V6 engine, and enhanced off-road capabilities.

The Pathfinder increases Smyrna's annual production capacity to 550,000 vehicles and increases the plant's product roster to five, including the Xterra SUV, Frontier pickup, and the Maxima and Altima sedans.

"The production of the Pathfinder at the Smyrna facility is another vote of confidence in the abilities of our employees and our manufacturing processes," Gaudette said. "I couldn't be prouder of this team for all they've accomplished in preparing for building this vehicle. Everyone has worked hard to get us here -- from the designers, engineers, technicians, support staff, supplier partners and our assistance teams from Japan - their dedication and determination has paid off today."

Introduced in 1986, the Pathfinder was the first in a lineup of Nissan SUVs that now includes the rugged Xterra and the full-size Armada.

The Pathfinder will be available as a 4x2 or 4x4 with an advanced off-road traction system. It features a rugged, fully-boxed, all-steel frame, independent double-wishbone front and rear suspension, standard 4.0 liter V6 engine rated at 250-plus horsepower and 270-plus lb-ft of torque, and a standard 5-speed automatic transmission based on the Armada. The Pathfinder's engine will come from Nissan's powertrain assembly plant in nearby Decherd, Tenn.

This newest vehicle has grown in nearly every dimension. The interior is roomier with the addition of 3rd row seating and is able to accommodate seven passengers. The split second- and third-row seats can be folded down individually, combining with the fold-down front passenger seat to provide 64 different seating/cargo configurations.

The vehicle also has a number of safety features. Standard on both Pathfinder models are Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System and the brand's LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system.

The 2005 Pathfinder will go on sale at 1,100 Nissan dealers nationwide in October.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.

Nissan North America Inc. has invested more than $4 billion in its three U.S. manufacturing facilities. The company's Canton, Miss., plant builds the Quest minivan, Armada SUV, Titan pickup truck, additional Altima sedans and the QX56 luxury SUV. The Decherd, Tenn., facility assembles approximately one million engines for all of Nissan's U.S. manufacturing plants.