Nissan Australia committed to local manufacturing

Nissan Australia confirms contracts with the Melbourne casting plant will keep the site busy into the future.

The 90,000 square-metre Dandenong site which employs 192 staff works on three day-shifts, seven days a week, will continue to supply parts to Nissan’s global market.

Australian-made Nissan parts are distributed through the Nissan Renault Alliance to the United States and Mexico, the United Kingdom, Thailand, South Korea, and Nissan’s home in Japan.

The original equipment manufacturer has contracts with Calsonic Kansei, Aichi Kikai and JATCO, which builds Nissan’s CVT gearboxes.

Australian-made components on the Qashqai and Infiniti Q50 include bike racks and roof bar accessories, the Pathfinder has an oil pan assembly made in Dandenong, as does the Renault Koleos.

Over 30 models overseas use components made Down Under.

Nissan Casting Australia’s managing director Peter Jones says Nissan has invested in ensuring the plant continues to produce parts for the rest of the world, with over $11 million tipped back into the business.

“This includes investing in specific tooling, and equipment with the most up-to-date technology for new generation hybrid and EV components,” Jones adds, “This investment was supported by financial grants from the State Government of Victoria, and the Federal Government, both of which understand the importance of continued local manufacturing.”

“We have exclusive supply contracts awarded by Nissan Global that will keep the plant operating well into the next decade,” Jones says.
“There should be no doubt, Nissan is still a fully integrated OEM car brand in Australia.

“If you want evidence of ‘Made in Australia’ you’ll find it here,” he continues.
Even futuristic models like the Leaf electric vehicle have the kangaroo logo on them.
“This includes the just-released new Nissan Leaf, which includes an EV water jacket inverter, inverter cover, inverter case and motor stator housing that all come directly out of Dandenong,” Jones explains.

“This is significant for Australian manufacturing.”