Nissan plant has a rock-solid future

By Nicole Williams
NISSAN’s casting plant is secure in Dandenong.
The Dandenong plant has been awarded a $21 million contract to produce components for Nissan’s new electric vehicle, guaranteeing 145 existing jobs.
Manufacturing, Exports and Trade Minister Richard Dalla-Riva announced the contract at the plant on 16 March flanked by AusIndustry Victorian State Manager Jayne Facey and Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson.
“This contract, which was won against the odds of strong global competition, is a terrific win for Nissan Casting Australia, for our automotive components sector and for local manufacturing,” Mr Dalla-Riva said.
Under the contract, the Dandenong factory will produce three aluminium components for Nissan’s new all electric LEAF vehicle, which is the world’s first zero emission five-door family hatch.
The addition of a fourth component is planned.
Production will support existing jobs and secure exports worth up to $160 million.
Nissan Australia CEO Dan Thompson said the global contracts were a major industrial coup for Australia.
“It is a testimony to the fact that Australia has positioned itself as a highly credible player in a fiercely competitive global manufacturing landscape that we are able to make this very positive announcement,” Mr Thompson said.
“The success in winning the contracts speaks highly of the investment Nissan has made in the manufacturing technology at Dandenong and in Australia’s ability to compete at a global industrial level.”
Production on the components will begin in mid-2012 and by 2013 the plant is predicted to be producing 22,000 electric vehicle components per month.
The contract will require upgrades to the casting plant, which will begin immediately.
The car is already on sale in the United States, Japan and the United Kingdom and will be available in Australia in mid-2012.
It is currently assembled in Japan.
Federal and State Governments are contributing $3.3 million to the investment through the Green Car Innovation Fund and the Victorian Government’s Business Assistance Grant.
Federal Member for Isaacs Mark Dreyfus said the $3.3 million grant received by Nissan Casting Australia illustrated the Gillard Government’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the government’s continuing support for local employment by investing in the manufacturing industry in Dandenong.