October celebrates U.S. manufacturing, a $2.9 trillion industry employing 12.9 million workers, with Middle Tennessee adding 135,000 jobs. This month, the Chamber is highlighting our members adding to the industry and prosperity of the Middle Tennessee Region.
Tell us about your business and what others should know about your company.
Nissan has operated in the U.S. for more than 40 years, building vehicles, creating jobs, and investing in communities. Nissan’s decision to locate in Smyrna in 1983 marked the start of automotive manufacturing in Tennessee, creating an industry that has since become a cornerstone of the state’s economy. What began with a single plant has grown into a U.S. footprint that includes vehicle assembly, engine manufacturing, research and development, design, sales, marketing, and a corporate headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee.
Today, Nissan employs nearly 18,000 people across the U.S., with more than 14,500 in manufacturing. We have assembled more than 21 million vehicles and 14 million engines in the U.S., contributing $1.5 billion annually in payroll and supporting a supplier base of more than 5,000 companies nationwide.
Nissan’s North American headquarters moved from California to Franklin in 2006, placing corporate leadership closer to our largest U.S. manufacturing operations. This decision aligned business and production while deepening our roots in Middle Tennessee.
Over the past four decades, Nissan has investment more than $15 billion in its U.S. facilities. The Smyrna plant – one of Nissan’s largest automotive assembly plants in the world – builds popular models such as the Rogue, Pathfinder, Murano, and INFINITI QX60. Our engine plant in Decherd produces powertrains for vehicles assembled in both Tennessee and Mississippi.
Beyond our factories and offices, Nissan’s impact extends to a nationwide network of 1,270 dealerships employing more than 48,000 people. Together, these dealerships form the frontline of our customer experience, helping millions of Americans find, finance, and service their vehicles.
Nissan’s history in the U.S. is one of long-term commitment to innovation, to employees, and to the communities where we live and work. We are proud to call Middle Tennessee home and to continue shaping the future of mobility from here.
Tell us about the industry in which your company operates.
The U.S. automotive industry includes vehicle and parts design, production, marketing, sales, and maintenance, forming a cornerstone of the American economy with its significant contribution to GDP and employment. The industry began in the late 1800s and pioneered mass production techniques, which allowed the U.S. to become the world’s dominant market for vehicle sales and production until the late 20th century. Today, it remains a top global manufacturer and market, currently facing transitions in electrification, innovation, and a complex supply chain impacted by global events and technological shifts.
At Nissan, we see opportunity in this transformation. We were one of the first automakers to mass-produce an all-electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, and our U.S. plants are now preparing for the next wave of electrified vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and battery-electric models.
What is unique about your company that helps you differentiate yourself?
Nissan differentiates itself in three important ways:
1. Deep roots in Tennessee. We pioneered automotive manufacturing in the state, creating jobs and building an ecosystem of suppliers that has grown into a regional industry cluster.
2. Scale with flexibility. Smyrna remains one of the highest-volume automotive plants in North America. Coupled with our engine plant in Decherd and operations in Canton, Mississippi, Nissan has the scale to compete while maintaining flexibility to adapt production to demand.
3. Innovation for everyone. Nissan was a first mover in mass-market EVs with the LEAF, and we continue to explore electrification, advanced driver-assist systems, and manufacturing technologies that make innovation attainable for all customers.
The balance of heritage, scale, and forward-thinking innovation makes Nissan both a trusted partner and a company always looking ahead.
Why is the Nashville region a good place for your business?
Nissan located its North American headquarters in Franklin in 2006 for good reason: Middle Tennessee offers a combination of strategic location, business-friendly environment, and quality of life that’s hard to match.
The region provides:
i. Geographic advantages – proximity to suppliers, major highways, and central access to U.S. markets.
ii. Skilled workforce pipelines – supported by technical colleges, workforce training programs, and universities.
iii. Thriving community – Nashville’s growth, diversity, and cultural vitality makes it a great place to attract and retain employees.
iv. Supportive public-private partnerships – local and state leaders have worked with Nissan to grow the industry and strengthen the regional economy.
How does your company ensure a safe, efficient, and positive culture for your workforce?
People are at the heart of everything we do, and creating a safe, positive workplace is our top priority. Across our U.S. operations, we maintain rigorous standards such as ISO 45001 occupational health and safety systems, ergonomic reviews, and regular training. Employees are empowered to stop production if they see something unsafe or if quality is at risk, and leaders reinforce this commitment with daily floor walks, safety huddles, and open-door policies that keep communication clear and immediate.
Our focus on safety is matched by our commitment to sustainability and efficiency. Nissan has been named an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year more than 15 consecutive times, including multiple Sustained Excellence awards from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Our Smyrna and Canton plants hold Superior Energy Performance certifications, proving that environmental responsibility and efficient operations go hand in hand.
Employees also take pride in what they build. U.S.-assembled models have earned repeated recognition from organizations like J.D. Power and Cars.com for quality and value, including Nissan’s 2025 ranking as the highest mass-market brand in J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study. These honors reflect the skill and craftsmanship of thousands of men and women who build our vehicles.
Supporting this culture are benefits that help employees thrive: comprehensive health coverage, retirement plans, family support leave, employee lease vehicle program, and career development opportunities. Together, these programs reinforce a workplace where safety, efficiency, and employee pride are built into the fabric of the company.
What key lesson has your company learned running a manufacturing operation, and what recent achievement or solution best illustrates it?
Launching a new product—whether a model-year change or an all-new nameplate—demands agility, discipline, and teamwork. Every change represents thousands of hours of preparation: redesigning processes or tools; training employees; validating quality standards; and coordinating with hundreds of suppliers to make sure the right parts arrive at the right time.
We’re applying that discipline in Smyrna today as we prepare for the launch of the all-new INFINITI QX65. While the official start of production in several months away, preparation began many months ago. By the time the first QX65 rolls off the line, thousands of small but critical steps will have already been tested and refined.
The lesson is simple but powerful: success in manufacturing comes from planning ahead, practicing relentlessly, and empowering employees to do their best work. Every launch teaches us to be more agile, more precise, and more collaborative. And every successful launch reinforces that when people, processes, and preparation come together, we can deliver vehicles employees are proud to assemble and our customers are proud to drive.
How is your company involved in or giving back to the community?
Nissan is deeply engaged in Tennessee and across the U.S. We support education and workforce development programs, partner with nonprofit organizations, and encourage employee volunteerism.
The Nissan Foundation, established in 1992, directs grants to nonprofit organizations that promote respect and understanding of America’s cultural heritage. Over the years, it has donated millions to more than 150 organizations across key regions, including Middle Tennessee.
Nissan Neighbors is our U.S. community giving arm focused on causes close to our operations: education, humanitarian services, and environmental sustainability. In Middle Tennessee and across our regions, it supports grants, in-kind giving, and volunteer campaigns.
Since 2005, Nissan has supported Habitat for Humanity in a sustained way. We have contributed more than $21 million, logged 112,000+ volunteer hours, and helped build homes for more than 300 families.
We recently launched the Nissan Centers of Excellence program in four area high schools. This program is a collaboration with the Tennessee Board of Regents, Tennessee College of Applied Technology, and local high schools. Through this program, students receive training directly from Nissan employees in areas such as advance manufacturing, mechatronics, and Industry 4.0 technologies. Students graduate from the program with industry-recognized credentials (OSHA 10, Lean Six Sigma, robotics, etc.), creating a pipeline of talent aligned with future mobility jobs.
We also support robotics and STEM teams in K-12 settings. Nissan has sponsored BEST Robotics for many years, where employee volunteers mentor and support local middle- and high-school teams.