Nissan boldly goes South

Riding recent successes, Nissan launches a new plant in Mississippi to keep production and sales figures on an upward trajectory.

Is it reasonable for an automaker to expect a workforce with little automotive assembly experience to build five different vehicle models within the first eight months of operation at a brand new plant in an economy that is still shaky?

“It wouldn't seem so,” said Carlos Ghosn, the President and CEO of Nissan known as much for his boldness as for getting things done. In a media briefing just prior to Job One at Nissan's new plant in Canton, MS, he added that launching two or even one new product at an existing plant is considered “a major feat.”