Nissan is evaluating adding a third production shift at its plants in Smyrna, Tennessee, as a new hybrid version of its Rogue begins U.S. production. CNBC reports the company currently runs two shifts at the Smyrna assembly plant, and adding another could translate into hundreds, potentially thousands, of additional jobs.
Quartz adds that Nissan is looking at the production capacity impact of a third shift across its U.S. operations. The outlet says Nissan could nearly double its U.S. annual output—potentially reaching around 1 million vehicles per year—if additional shifts are added at both of its U.S. plants. Both reports connect the timing of the shift review to the rollout of the hybrid Rogue and suggest Nissan is responding to expected demand for the new model.
While the outlets differ in emphasis—CNBC focusing on job creation and Quartz on projected overall volume—they agree Nissan is actively considering expanded production in Tennessee tied to the hybrid Rogue launch.
