Nissan expands in Asia

Nissan expands in Asia

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. said yesterday its
new guidelines for expanding global production were focussed on
boosting vehicle capacity in Asia while establishing new engine
plants in the United States.

The country's second-biggest carmaker said vehicle production
capacity in Thailand, the Philippines and Indonesia was targeted
to grow from the current level of 100,000 units to 170,000 units
by next year at the earliest.

In a statement coinciding with an agreement on the auto trade
between Tokyo and Washington in Geneva, Nissan said its output of
800,000 vehicles a year in the United States and Mexico was
"sufficient" for North America and Latin American markets.

The company said it would focus on its new Tennessee engine
plant where production is to start in 1997 at a rate of 200,000
units a year. Nissan will also start production of forklift
engines in the United States next year at a rate of 20,000 units
a year.