Nissan to Build Gas-Electric Altima

Nissan Motor Co. said it would build gasoline-electric Altima sedans at a U.S. plant starting in late 2006, becoming the second Japanese carmaker to produce hybrid vehicles in the world’s largest auto market.

The company plans to build the hybrid version of the Altima at either Smyrna, Tenn., or Canton, Miss., the two factories that make the gasoline-only version of the sedan, a spokesman said. The hybrid will be a 2007 model, he said.