P.M. BRIEFING : Nissan to Double Output in Smyrna

Japanese auto maker Nissan Motor Co. said today it plans to nearly double the production capacity of its automobile assembly plant in Smyrna, Tenn., in 1992 when a middle passenger car model will be added to its production line.

Japan’s No. 2 auto maker said the expansion program will add about 2,000 more jobs to its present work force of 3,200.

The Tokyo-based company said the Smyrna plant of Nissan Motor Manufacturing Corp. U.S.A. currently produces 240,000 Sentra passenger cars and trucks a year.

The production capacity will be expanded to 440,000 units when a third model will be assembled there in 1992, the company said.

Meanwhile, cumulative production of vehicles at the plant topped 1 million units, making the facility Nissan’s second overseas project to attain the milestone. Nissan Mexicana, S.A., was the first to set the milestone in April, the company said.