Nissan Adds Models, More Capacity to Spur U.S. Growth

(Alan Ohnsman / Bloomberg News) Nissan Motor Co. is pouring almost $2 billion into U.S. plants, its most aggressive capacity and model range expansion here for two decades, to build on recent market share gains that have outpaced Japanese rivals, according to a Bloomberg News story by Alan Ohnsman. Japan's third-biggest automaker plans to increase output in the U.S. by 85 percent in 18 months by expanding production at its plant at Smyrna, Tenn., and opening a factory capable of building 250,000 trucks a year in Canton, Miss., said Nissan Senior Vice President Emil Hassan. Nissan's second year of record net income, aided by a weaker yen and success in cutting costs, is helping to bankroll growth in its most profitable market. The automaker will add 28 new and restyled models to meet CEO Carlos Ghosn's goal of raising global sales more than a third, or 1 million units, within three years.