Nissan is celebrating a decade of manufacturing excellence in Russia.
Nissan’s St. Petersburg plant made its first model in 2009, since when the facility has produced more than 370,000 vehicles.
Today the plant employs 2,000 employees, who recently completed the launch of the refreshed X-Trail and Qashqai models for the Russian market, with both vehicles now in full production alongside the Nissan Murano.
Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan Senior Vice-President for Manufacturing, Purchasing and Supply Chain Management in Europe, said: “This year we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the start of production in our Russian plant. From the very first day, the team embraced Nissan’s spirit of innovation and continuous improvement, and the plant has firmly established itself in our global family. Today, I would like to congratulate the team of St. Petersburg on this significant milestone. I look forward to seeing what they can accomplish in the next 10 years.”
Last year the plant set a new production record of 56,525 vehicles. In a further demonstration of its continued commitment to the Russian market, Nissan expanded the Nissan Technical Center (NTCE) facility in Saint Petersburg in November last year, where technical experts work to ensure Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun models are fully tuned and equipped for Russian road and weather conditions.
To mark the anniversary, the original plant employees have created a time capsule of their memories and predictions for the future, to be opened by those who will be working at the plant in 10 years’ time.
Igor Boytsov, General Director of Nissan St. Petersburg Plant, added: “This plant has evolved from a young, enterprising member of the
Nissan family into one which is now recognized globally. Thanks to the professionalism and motivation of our employees. I have no doubt that the next decade will continue to see Nissan Saint Petersburg go from strength to strength.”
Visiting the plant to speak with employees, the acting governor of Saint-Petersburg, Alexander Dmitrievich Beglov, said: “I am glad to congratulate the employees of this plant to the 10th anniversary of production. We know about the successful development of this plant. I am glad that you are producing here good products which are popular not only in our city but also in the whole country. We are pleased that the management of the plant is focused on the localization and agreements put into the Memorandum of Understanding with the St. Petersburg Government. Manufacturing products of the highest quality, you can be sure about your jobs for many years. My sincere congratulations, I wish you success and good luck.”
