Nissan to Invest $1 Billion in Tennessee Plants

Nissan Motor Co. announced a $1-billion investment in its engine and vehicle assembly plants in Tennessee to increase production for the U.S. market. Nissan said it plans to increase production at its Smyrna plant from 380,000 this year to 440,000 vehicles in fiscal year 2001 and 500,000 thereafter. The auto maker will more than triple the size of its Decherd engine plant to about 730,000 square feet from 230,000 square feet to allow engine machining and assembly of V-6 and V-8 engines. Employment at the plants could increase by 2,000 to 7,700 jobs by 2004, Nissan said.