Nissan enters commercial vehicle business in Canada

MISSISSAUGA, ON–Nissan Canada Inc. said it is entering the Commercial Vehicle (CV) business through a significant investment in North America. As part of a global commitment to the segment, NCI will introduce to the Canadian market three commercial vehicles in three years, with the first of these products launching in the first half of 2010.

Nissan is partnering with Cummins Inc. for the engines and ZF Friedrichshafen AG for the transmissions.

Key to this new strategy is the Nissan plant in Canton, Mississippi, which will become the manufacturing center. In the midterm, Nissan said it will expand its CV business in North America, resulting in the creation of a multi-segment product range of vehicles below 8-tonne gross vehicle weight (GVW). This initiative will result in the development of the three new products, as well as the future extension of the CV range.

“Globally, the CV business is a substantial part of Nissan’s sales and profitability, and this vast experience and knowledge will be leveraged within the Canadian market,” says Jeff Parent, Vice President of sales and marketing, NCI.

“Our entry into commercial vehicles is a testament to Nissan’s vision for its Canadian operations and its commitment to addressing the needs of commercial customers in Canada.”

Nissan CVs are sold in 73 per cent of the world’s markets, including Japan, China, Mexico, Europe and the Middle East. In Mexico last month, Nissan announced the production of a new CV pick-up at its plant in Cuernavaca.