An update on Nissan’s Myanmar plans – the automaker says it will begin assembling cars in the republic later this year in partnership with Tan Chong Motor (TCM), having announced plans to build a manufacturing site in the country three years ago.
Nissan said it will initially assemble completely knocked-down Almera (known as the Sunny in that market) sedans at an existing TCM factory, before build eventually moves to a new 50-acre facility in Bago, which is located 80 km northeast of Yangon.
The new plant, which is due to come online in 2018, will have a workforce of approximately 300 and a production capacity of 10,000 units at full production. To prepare for the initial assembly, 200 employees are being trained at the TCM plant in Malaysia as part of a knowledge-transfer initiative that will provide the local workforce with the necessary skills, the automaker said.
Nissan and Tan Chong will also work to enhance and expand the entire business network in the republic, which currently includes a branch office and dealers in Yangon. Sales in Myanmar began in 2013, and the current product lineup in the country includes the X-Trail, Teana (Altima), Navara and NV350 Urvan, with local production adding the Almera to the lineup.
In November last year, Tan Chong Motor (Myanmar) and Nissan signed a five-year distribution agreement. That same month, TCM stated its plans to expand its Myanmar business, saying it would be investing US$50 million (RM211 million) over the next three years.
