"Nissan is gearing up to build motors for the all-electric Nissan LEAF vehicle at its engine plant in Decherd, Tennessee. The motors will be assembled at the plant beginning in early 2013 as Nissan expands production.
Experts say that the plant will be able to make up to 150,000 electric motors a year. The plant currently makes engines and other components for Nissan vehicles built in North America.
According to Nissan spokesman Steve Parrett, new production at the site will be added to current production in Japan. Parrett also made it clear that having the motors built at the Decherd plant, is not related to the natural disaster that occurred in Japan back in March.
More than 4,000 Nissan LEAF vehicles have been delivered to customers in the United States to-date. The current retail price of the 2012 LEAF is approximately $2,500 higher than the 2011 model at $35,200 for the SV trim level. The 2012 LEAF model will go on-sale starting this Fall. A $7,500 federal tax credit could reduce the starting price f the 2012 model to $27,700.
The expansion of the Decherd plant expansion is being funded with a loan from the U.S. Department of Energy. The company decided to fund the expansion as a way of encouraging advanced technology. The amount of the loan, has not and will not be disclosed."
Em: http://nissan-leaf.net/2011/07/23/nissa ... see-plant/