“To have achieved one million units of exports proves that we are making attractive and globally competitive products,” said John Martin, senior vice president, Manufacturing, Supply Chain Management and Purchasing, Nissan North America, Inc. “Quite simply, it shows how well-designed, well-built cars are appreciated universally by all customers, no matter where they live and buy the product.”
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“It provides a buffer,” said Martin. “In terms of the volume that exports allow us to make, and it provides a buffer for us against domestic demand. Because naturally we have seasonality in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, they are our biggest markets, but the seasonality in other parts of the world are certainly different. And that acts as a buffer and helps to keep our production level at a pretty stable level throughout the year.”
Between its Smyrna, Tennessee and Canton, Mississippi manufacturing plants, Nissan exports to 68 markets worldwide. For example, the Nissan Altima is now exported to countries such as Africa, Brazil, Korea, Russia and Mexico. The Nissan LEAF is shipped to places such as Canada, Japan, Korea and Mexico.
“Our exports are driven by our proven reputation for quality, durability and reliability, or QDR,” said Martin. “My experience is that the most demanding customers in the world are those in the United States and Japan. So, servicing U.S. customers and meeting their high expectations only serves to improve our overall product quality and enhance their attractiveness to our export customers.”
