3 Million screaming Nissan fans can't be wrong - Altima production hits milestone

Fifteen years and three generations on, the three-millionth Nissan Altima has been birthed at the Smyrna Tennessee plant. The Altima is Nissan's current sales champ, with diverse trim-level and power unit options, efficiency nuts and performance enthusiasts can both find something to love in the Altima. When it first debuted, we weren't all sure how exactly to pronounce its name – its predecessor was the easily articulated Stanza – but it was a tidy little compact with good manners and tasteful styling. My, how it's grown! The Altima has bulked up in size to Maxima-esque proportions, with edgy, stylish bodywork where there were once "bar of soap" cues, this ain't no mid-'90s compact anymore. The available 3.5-liter V6 has the motive force to outdo many comers, and the coupe version has even more speed baked into the style. On the flip side, the hybrid Altimas sip fuel more gently than the other powertrain options.

The Altima is produced in two locations, Smyrna being the first US Altima assembly plant in 1992, with Canton, Mississippi joining up in 2004. Smyrna pops out about 750 new Altimas per day, while Canton does nearly as many, at roughly 600. Altimas for export are also produced in Smyrna before they're shipped north to Canada, south to Mexico, or to Gulf Coast countries. So far this year, the export markets have consumed 20,000 of Smyrna's cars. Since its start as a Stanza stand-in, the Altima has gone on to become Nissan's bread and butter sedan – not too shabby.

The full press release is after the jump.

[Source: Nissan via TAC]

Nissan Produces 3 Millionth Altima [Aug. 9, 07]

SMYRNA, Tenn. (Aug. 9, 2007) -- Nissan North America produced its 3 millionth Altima today – 15 years after the first Altima rolled off the line at the Smyrna Plant.

"The Altima plays an important role in Nissan's lineup, and we put a lot of discipline and skill into building each one," said Greg Daniels, senior vice president, U.S. Manufacturing. "The Altima provides our customers a lot of value for the money, and we're committed to providing them with a high level of quality as well."

The Altima Sedan, currently Nissan's best-selling nameplate, is part of a lineup that includes the Altima Hybrid (Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and the all-new 2008 Altima Coupe. Built on Nissan's "D" platform, the 2008 Altima Sedan offers dramatic exterior styling, a well-equipped interior and a choice of the award-winning VQ-series 3.5-liter V6 or the 2.5-liter 4-cylinder backed by a 6-speed manual or Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVTTM (Continuously Variable Transmission).

Altima models are assembled at two Nissan assembly plants in the U.S. – in Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton, Miss. The Smyrna Plant produces about 750 Altimas a day, and the Canton Plant makes about 600 Altimas daily. In addition to the Altima, the Smyrna Plant produces the Nissan Frontier truck, Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Xterra sport utility vehicles and the Nissan Maxima sedan. The Canton Plant also assembles Nissan Titan full-size trucks, Nissan Armada full-size sport utility vehicles, Nissan Quest minivans and Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury sport utility vehicles.

The Smyrna Plant also produces all the Altimas that are exported outside the U.S. – to markets such as Canada, Mexico or Gulf Coast Countries. Approximately 20,000 Altimas have been exported from Smyrna in the first seven months of this year.

Last month, on July 23, Nissan's U.S. plants passed another milestone, producing the 9 millionth vehicle. Since Nissan first started assembling vehicles in the United States in June 1983, the company has produced 9.02 million vehicles to date.

In North America, Nissan operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.

Key dates
June 11, 1992 First Altima Sedan produced in Smyrna, Tenn.
June 14, 2004 First Altima Sedan produced in Canton, Miss.
Dec. 11, 2006 First Altima Hybrid produced in Smyrna
April 30, 2007 First Altima Coupe produced in Smyrna
Aug. 9, 2007 3 millionth Altima produced

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