Nissan to Build $900-million Plant Near Jackson, Miss.

Nissan Motor Co. confirmed Wednesday that it will build a $900-million assembly plant outside Jackson, Miss., that people familiar with the plans said will employ more than 3,000 workers.

Nissan said in a statement that details about its new plant, which will be built in Canton, would be discussed at a news conference in Jackson this morning.

The Japanese auto maker said it would make a “significant announcement regarding North American production.” No details were available.

Nissan said its chief, Carlos Ghosn, and other top executives would attend, along with Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove and Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.).

The new plant would continue the U.S. auto industry’s move south, where the United Auto Workers union has had limited success organizing workers. The region also is attractive for low costs and access to highways and ports.

Sources said the new plant would have the production capacity of about 120,000 vehicles annually.

Nissan has a plant in Smyrna, Tenn., where it builds the Xterra sport-utility vehicle, Frontier pickup and Altima sedan. The auto maker plans to build a new full-size pickup as part of its plan to offer 10 new vehicles in the United States in the next three years. However, Nissan has not said where the big truck will be built.

Nissan also must decide where its Quest minivan, built at Ford Motor Co.’s plant in Avon Lake, Ohio, will be assembled when that deal expires. Nissan has said it would build a new 2003 model-year minivan elsewhere.