For a long time, Nissan vehicles worldwide have featured a hidden surprise – a distinctive and fun kangaroo motif stamped on the components produced at Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP), paying homage to their antipodean roots.
Based in Dandenong South, Victoria, NCAP is a cornerstone of Nissan’s global manufacturing network. As the sole supplier of 40 different components, it produces 1.2 million parts annually.
These include 25 distinct high-pressure die-cast aluminium components and six different tow bars for use in domestic and international markets.
All parts are exported to international assembly plants to be supplied to markets globally. This means that some of the most iconic models in the Nissan Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania (AMIEO) region, such as the Nissan LEAF and Patrol, already bear a visible symbol of Australian craftsmanship and excellence through NCAP’s unique kangaroo stamp.
Now, this mark of quality and authenticity has been officialised, with NCAP receiving Australian Made status with every towbar and high- and low-pressure aluminium casting produced at the plant.
Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Oceania, said: “For many years, the Nissan Casting Australia Plant team has included something of an Easter egg on each of its components sent overseas — a distinctive kangaroo insignia. Following the official Australian Made certification, it’s exciting to see the kangaroo take on a new and globally recognised life of its own.
The Australian Made symbol is one of the country’s most loved and recognised. The iconic label is only issued to products that meet strict criteria, including that the product has undergone its last substantial transformation in Australia.
Australian Made Chief Executive Ben Lazzaro said: “It’s great to see Nissan Casting Plant Australia strengthen its commitment to local manufacturing and begin stamping its aluminium castings and towbars with the iconic kangaroo.”