NissanNissanJapan, 1932 > present159 models
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has completed the first phase of construction of its $2 billion new factory in Aguascalientes, Mexico. It is Nissan’s third factory in Mexico and will be able to build 170,000 vehicles a year in its first phase.

"The investment in our third vehicle plant in Mexico leverages the world-class manufacturing capabilities of the Nissan Mexicana team and is aimed at satisfying the high demand for Nissan vehicles produced in Mexico throughout the Americas and beyond. It will help consolidate our leadership in the domestic market and strengthen our growth plans globally,” said Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn.

The new factory was completed in 19 months. At full capacity it will run 23 hours a day, six days a week, for 284 days a year and will be able to build 30 cars an hour with 3,000 employees.

The factory sits on a 1,130-acre (460 hectare) lot and includes a stamping, body, paint, injection, paint and assembly line areas.

The first model built there will be the Nissan SentraNissan Sentra Gen.6 [B16]Japan, 2007 > present18 versions
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, and more vehicles will be added later.

The added capacity is all part of Nissan’s Power 88 plan to have 8% global market share and 8% operating profit by 2016.

Mexico was the first country to build Nissan models outside of Japan when it opened a factory there in 1966.