Nissan plans third US plant to make electric vehicles, possibly in Tennessee

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nissan is considering building a third manufacturing plant in the United States, and it may be located in Tennessee.

The Associated Press reported that Nissan is considering adding a new auto plant in the United States to meet growing demand for electric vehicles.

On Friday, Nissan chief operating officer Ashwani Gupta told reporters that the third plant would be a new facility but could be built as an extension of an existing plant.

Nissan has two auto plants in the United States – one in Canton, Mississippi, and one in Smyrna, Tennessee. If an existing factory is added, there is a 50/50 chance that it will be in the voluntary state.

The Tennessee plant already manufactures an all-electric vehicle called LEAF.

Bob Rolfe, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development, recently told News 2 that the automotive and electric vehicle market is hot in Tennessee and attracting global manufacturers.

“When we think about where these new jobs are and why they’re coming here, a lot of it is electric vehicle related,” Rolfe said.

Nissan announced in February 2022 a $500 million investment to transform the factory in Canton, Mississippi, to build all-new electric vehicle models from 2025.

On Monday, Nissan spokesman Lloryn Love-Carter said the company did not yet have detailed plans to share regarding a new US manufacturing plant or whether it would be in Tennessee.

Love-Carter also said Nissan is aiming for 40% of its sales volume to be fully electric by 2030.