Nissan: Nissan’s Decherd Powertrain Plant produces 10 millionth engine

DECHERD, Tenn. – With a new engine assembled every 19 seconds, the production lines at Nissan’s Decherd Powertrain Plant don’t stop often or for very long. Today was an exception as the team stopped to celebrate a milestone – production of the plant’s 10 millionth engine.

The 10 millionth engine was a 2.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine that will be assembled into a Nissan Altima scheduled to be built at Nissan’s Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant, located about an hour away and also in Tennessee. The fuel-efficient QR 4-cylinder is the highest volume engine assembled in Decherd. In addition to Altima, which boasts best-in-class* standard highway fuel economy of 39 mpg, the QR engine powers the popular Nissan Rogue crossover. Rogue sales topped 287,000 in the U.S. in 2015, making it Nissan’s second best-selling model in America behind Altima.

Nissan began powertrain assembly in Decherd in 1997. Today, its workforce of more than 1,600 manufactures 4-, 6- and 8-cylinder engines, as well as eMotors, for the complete lineup of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles built in the U.S. The plant also houses crankshaft forging and cylinder block casting operations, making it one of the most complex powertrain facilities in America.  

“Producing 10 million engines is a big number for any plant, but hitting this milestone in less than 19 years is a real testament to the strength and dedication of our workforce,” said Gary Edwards, vice president of Nissan’s U.S. Powertrain Operations and Battery Plant. “I’m proud of our team, the high-quality engines we build and the important contribution we have made to Nissan’s success in North America.”

In 2015, the Nissan Decherd Powertrain Plant produced 964,000 engines, including eMotors. By comparison, the plant assembled 162,000 engines in 1998 during its first full year of operation.

In addition to the QR 4-cylinder, Nissan Decherd also builds award-winning VQ 6-cylinder engines for a Nissan lineup that includes the Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, Frontier, Murano, NV Cargo and Passenger vans, as well as the Infiniti QX60. The plant’s powerful ZH 8-cylinder engine supports production of Nissan’s TITAN full-size pickup, Patrol full-size SUV (sold overseas) and NV Cargo and Passenger vans. 

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. 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.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

 

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Contact

Josh Clifton
Nissan Corporate Communications
615-725-1767
Josh.Clifton@Nissan-usa.com

 

*EPA Fuel Economy Estimate 39 mpg Highway for 2.5, 2.5 S, 2.5 SV and 2.5 SL. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions – use for comparison only.