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2016 Nissan Maxima launches production in Tennessee

The 2016 Nissan Maxima saw its big debut at the end of the brand's 90-second Super Bowl commercial this year. However, we didn't get the full details about the latest generation of the model marketed as the four-door sports car until the recent New York Auto Show. Now just a few weeks later, the sedans are rolling down the assembly line in Smyrna, TN, and they should hit the road this summer.

"Today's launch of the all-new Maxima is the beginning of an exciting year for Nissan's US lineup, with new versions of the Altima, Sentra and Titan due later this year," John Martin, Nissan's senior vice president for manufacturing, supply chain management and purchasing, said in the production announcement. The sedan's revised 3.5-liter V6 is also made in Tennessee at Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant.

The 2016 Maxima certainly looks different than other mainstream sedans with its prominent V-shaped grille, slashing headlights and floating roof. Prices start at $32,410, plus $825 for destination. For that, customers get a 300-horsepower V6 that's connected to what Nissan claims is a "performance-oriented" CVT. The latest model is also estimated to get 30 miles per gallon on the highway.
Show full PR text NISSAN BEGINS PRODUCTION OF EIGHTH-GENERATION MAXIMA "4-DOOR SPORTS CAR" IN TENNESSEE

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan's Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant continues its reign as the top-producing automotive plant in North America, as Gov. Bill Haslam, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and Tennessee Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd joined plant employees to celebrate the start of production for the all-new 2016 Nissan Maxima.

"When Nissan came to Tennessee more than 30 years ago, there were almost no auto jobs in the state," said Alexander. "Three decades later, about one-third of our manufacturing jobs are auto related, auto suppliers have located in 80 counties, and our family incomes are higher. I want to thank Nissan for providing opportunities for thousands of talented Tennesseans."

The first U.S.-assembled Maxima rolled off the assembly line in Smyrna in January 2003. Since then, Nissan has produced nearly 800,000 Maxima sedans at the plant, with more than 60,000 shipped to markets worldwide. Maxima is one of six models currently built at the Smyrna plant and is assembled on the same line as the Altima midsize sedan and all-electric Nissan LEAF. Maxima's new 3.5-liter, VQ-series V6 engine is also assembled in Tennessee at Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant.

"With today's launch, Nissan and Tennessee begin another chapter in their long and successful partnership defined by high quality vehicles and the innovation of its workforce," said Haslam. "We want to thank Nissan for continuing to invest here, helping build Tennessee's reputation as a leading automotive manufacturing state."

The eighth generation of Nissan's iconic "4-Door Sports Car" combines 300-horsepower performance with a bold exterior design, premium interior cockpit and an extensive range of safety, security and driving aids, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Warning. It also features Nissan's new Driver Attention Alert system, which monitors steering input patterns to help alert the driver when drowsy or inattentive driving is detected. The 2016 Maxima will be available at U.S. Nissan dealerships this summer.

"Today's launch of the all-new Maxima is the beginning of an exciting year for Nissan's U.S. line-up, with new versions of the Altima, Sentra and TITAN due later this year," said John Martin, Nissan's senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing. "New models produced at our U.S. plants in Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi helped to propel Nissan to nearly 1.4 million sales in the U.S. in 2014, and vehicles like the all-new Maxima will help us eclipse that record this year."

The Nissan Smyrna Plant began operations in 1983 and employs more than 8,400 people. In 2014, the Smyrna plant assembled more than 648,000 vehicles, making it the highest-producing automotive assembly plant in North America. Smyrna employees currently build the award-winning Altima, Maxima, all-electric LEAF, Rogue crossover, Pathfinder SUV and Infiniti QX60 luxury crossover.

About Nissan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 244,500 employees globally, Nissan sold almost 5.2 million vehicles and generated revenue of 10.5 trillion yen (USD 105 billion) in fiscal 2013. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Nissan North America

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

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