FIRST-BUILT ALMERA TINO MAKES NEW INDUSTRY RECORDS

Nissan Motor Iberica SA (NMISA), Nissan’s Spanish vehicle manufacturing operation will lead an elite band of European vehicle manufacturing plants, when production of the new Almera Tino begins on Monday 15 May. It will also be best in class for manufacturing quality and reach full production in just six weeks.

NMISA will increase the number of models it manufactures to five, matched by only two other car plants in Europe. However it will lead in terms of model diversity, mixing passenger cars with commercial vehicles and four-wheel drive off-roaders. The new Almera Tino will be built alongside Terrano ll, Patrol, Serena and commercial vehicle, Vanette Cargo.

Rafael Boronat, managing director of NMISA said: “The introduction of the Almera Tino to Nissan’s Spanish manufacturing operations has been a tremendous achievement for our workforce. The success of the project owes everything to their flexibility and creativity. We have a huge amount of experience in all types of vehicle manufacture at NMISA. Adding volume manufacturing for the Almera Tino further widens that skill base.”

The efficient production of such a diverse range of models in low and medium volumes is made possible by the plant’s focus on flexibility and an exceptional use of space.

First-built Almera Tino makes new industry records...2

For the production of Almera Tino just-in-time component deliveries meet minute by minute schedules, to cut down space needed to stock components by the production line. Large sections of the car, such as the engine and chassis are built as the car moves through the final assembly process.

These manufacturing innovations are all brought together by a sophisticated computer management system that keeps every component for every model in sequence. In parts of the plant where Almera Tino and other models share the same production process, such as body construction, the computer management system automatically adapts tooling and handling systems.

Full production for the Almera Tino will be reached in just six weeks, a record for this size of vehicle. The rapid climb to full production has been made possible by a quality-tracking programme, which targeted best in class manufacturing quality from the very first car to drive away from the factory. With best in class quality assured to be right-first-time, the production system can reach full speed without any delay.

The NMISA plant occupies a site of more than half a million square metres in the industrial heart of Barcelona and will employ around 4,500 people, when Almera Tino reaches full production. Total investment in Nissan’s Spanish operations now exceeds €1.2 billion (210 billion Ptas/ £761 million).

Nissan’s European centre for the development and manufacture of diesel engines, the Madrid-based Cuatro Vientos plant, will build the new 2.2 direct injection engine for the Almera Tino; production will rise by nearly 30 per cent as a result. Petrol engines for the new car will be manufactured at Nissan Motor Manufacturing (UK) in Sunderland.

First-built Almera Tino makes new industry records...3

NMISA spends 480 million Euros (£300 million/Pts828 million) each year with 218 European suppliers. Nissan’s Spanish operations include styling, design and development, manufacturing, sales, finance and industrial machinery.

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For further information, please contact:

Frank Shepherd, Corporate Affairs Administrator 01923 899930

Email: frank.shepherd@nissan.co.uk

Stewart McKee, Corporate Affairs Manager 01923 899930

Email: stewart.mckee@nissan.co.uk

All Nissan news releases can be downloaded from the Newspress website at http://www.newspress.co.uk