That’s right. Nissan is building a manufacturing plant for it’s super-green EV electric car in Tennessee– not in Kentucky, that third largest auto state in the nation. Tennessee will also be host to a– get this– a high-capacity lithium ion battery production facility in partnership with Nissan’s partner company, NEC Corp.
Nissan has announced plans to launch the large-scale production of electric cars and batteries in the United States, with a massive 50 billion Yen ($516 million) facility in Smyrna, Tennessee.
The site will be capable of knocking-out an impressive 50,000 to 100,000 EVs by 2012, with investment possibly DOUBLING to 100 billion Yen (more than $1 Billion).
The Japanese outfit, fast becoming a forerunner in the race to the mass roll-out of EVs worldwide, aims to tap into low-interest loans for the production of greener vehicles as part of the US government’s package to support the auto industry.
Again, this is not being built in Kentucky. Why? Were we even in the mix with Nissan and parent company Renault?
We keep announcing new three-wheeled electric car companies (here, here, here & here) and NATBATT consortiums (or whatever – here & here) that never come to fruition. We lose manufacturing plants to Michigan without even competing for them.
All promises that end up being all talk and over-hyped press releases.
Déjà vu?
28 responses so far ↓
1 WouldaShouldaCoulda // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:09 am
I assure you that the fact that Tennessee is a right to work state has a lot to do with them getting these jobs and not Kentucky. Of course, the Dems and unions don’t want to hear that.
2 Conservative // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:34 am
Even Brereton Jones thinks he’s walking on thin ice by ignoring tax reform.
Has there ever been a more inept governor in Kentucky in any of our lifetimes than Jones? (The present administration excluded…)
Didn’t Jones commission this big huge study on tax reform in Kentucky and then didn’t do squat about it?
3 Conservative // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:34 am
Oops, I put that comment in the wrong thread. Oh well, it’s Tuesday and I’m going on vacation starting tomorrow.
4 Steve Magruder (I, not D or R) // Jun 23, 2009 at 11:43 am
“Right to work” has nothing to do with Tennessee getting these factories.
It has everything to do with Tennessee having an ongoing commitment to education and true economic development. Meanwhile, Kentucky tries repeatedly to build a false economy of expanded gaming while treating roads as if they are more important than kids.
5 Ray Re // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:03 pm
The biggest worry now for Kentucky’s biggest auto player, Ford, is how they are going to compete with Uncle Sam Motors.
6 jake // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:05 pm
That’s bunk.
Common sense says they won’t have a problem if they build a product consumers actually want and can afford.
There’s no way in hell GM can create a better product than Ford. So. I think this fearmongering is a total waste.
7 Steve Bittenbender // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:09 pm
I don’t think this has anything to do with what Tennessee already offers and what we don’t. Nissan has had a strong presence in Tennessee for years, much like Toyota has in Georgetown. It makes sense for Nissan (or any other manufacturer) to put that plant within close proximity to where they already build cars.
8 jake // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Sorry, but when you’re getting $1.6 billion, being a few minutes away (generalization) from Tennessee and in Kentucky probably wouldn’t be THAT big of a deal.
Here are the details from a White House press release a few minutes ago:
9 Ray Re // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:45 pm
A White House press release? I thought these were Tennessee incentives? And, Jake, if you don’t think Ford is worried about fairly competing with taxpayer subsidized/owned GM and Chrysler/UAW/Fiat then you’re wrong. Let’s just hope those who think they know what’s best for ultimate auto consumers don’t fuck up the Ford pick-up market.
10 jake // Jun 23, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Don’t put words in my mouth. I said no such thing.
I didn’t say these were Tennessee incentives.
I didn’t say Ford wasn’t afraid. I said there’s no way in hell GM can create a better product – i.e., green/something consumers want and can afford – than Ford. Compare the Chevy Volt and the Ford Fusion, euro Focus and Escape. Ford clearly wins, hands-down.
11 Conservative // Jun 23, 2009 at 1:16 pm
FORD = Found On Road Dead
FORD = Fix Or Repair Daily
FORD = F–kin’ Old Rebuilt Dodge
I’ve never owned a Ford in my life. One Dodge, four GMs and one Toyota, but no Ford.
Although I may have to give them another look, not because of their product line, but because I don’t want to buy from Obama Motors. (“The New GM” and Chrysler.”)
Although The Captain bought out Saturn and my family has had good luck with Saturns over the years.
12 Ray Re // Jun 23, 2009 at 1:22 pm
So Uncle Sam gave 1.6 billion dollars to a foreign auto maker? Interesting. BTW the only green that matters to our auto industry right now is foldable and American consumers decide what they want on dealer lots. Toyota subsidizes their Prius with the average MPG Camry, and Ford and GM would have been gone long ago without their pick-up and SUV categories. The Chevy Volt will be a 40,000 dollar (base) car with a non gas driving range of 40 miles top. Now that’s a loser.
13 KK // Jun 23, 2009 at 1:34 pm
I agree with Steve Magruder. The lack of true economic development in KY is directly tied to the fact that KY ranks 48th our of 50th in the US for higher education attainment (BA/BS or higher). Louisville is not going to have any substantial economic development which involves bringing in outside companies to set up plants or headquarters in the region until this major issue begins to change. And this is truly a shame, becuase the greater Louisville region ranks #1 in the country with available land for development next to a major metropolitan area. And as we all know, the cost of land here is relatively cheap compared to other parts of the country. So something is keeping them away.
14 Steve Bittenbender // Jun 23, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Jake,
According to Businessweek, the money Nissan’s getting is part of a $25 billion US program to upgrade factories to produce more fuel-efficient vehicles. Since that facility already produces 550,00 vehicles a year and is close to Nashville, there was no way Kentucky would have been in the running for that plant. It will cost them less to upgrade and expand Smyrna than to build new in Kentucky.
That said, it sound like there is more money available. We’ll see how much of it Kentucky can get.
http://www.businessweek.com/autos/autobeat/archives/2009/06/nissans_ghosn_c.html
15 Ray Re // Jun 23, 2009 at 2:46 pm
WTF Tesla got 465 million? Good Lord, what about Foghat or the James Gang or White Snake? Oh, the Google boys’ electric sports car. Never mind.
16 David Harpe // Jun 23, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Nissan already has facilities in Smyrna. This is an expansion.
17 Conservative // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Why does it take a college degree to weld car frames?
18 HowardWCampbelljr // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:22 pm
We are also the same ranking in terms of high school graduation.
19 HowardWCampbelljr // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:23 pm
KY also has the same ranking in terms of high school graduation and overall educational attainment.
20 E // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Gotta go with Jake on the Ford can compete quit fearmongering comment.
Especially given that many surveys seem to indicate that buyers will avoid either a bankrupt or government run car company.
http://michiganmessenger.com/16717/car-buyers-turning-from-gm-chrysler-to-ford
21 HowardWCampbelljr // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:24 pm
sorry about the double post!
22 WouldaShouldaCoulda // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Magruder, I’m not saying KY isn’t behind on other issues related to attracting manufacturing plants, but I work in ED and know for a fact that KY not being “right to work” puts it at a disadvantage compared to TN. When the tree huggers get their way with this cap’n'trade fiasco and KY electric rates rise by a third or more to comply, that will put the state at a further disadvantage.
23 Just me // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Steve said,
“It has everything to do with Tennessee having an ongoing commitment to education and true economic development.”
I’ve no doubt Tennessee has waaay more commitment to economic development than Kentucky does. But, have you read any of school news from Tennessee (particularly Nashville) lately? It’s a friggin’ mess.
24 jake // Jun 23, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Yeah, it’s those goddamned tree huggers who screw things up by wanting a living wage instead of the minimum wage.
25 jake // Jun 23, 2009 at 4:27 pm
P.S. No, “Uncle Sam” didn’t give a company money. It was loaned funds which have to be repaid.
26 Sirico // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:22 pm
What attracts jobs is better schools and health care (hospitals), NOT standard old c0rporate right-wing ideas like right-to-work and tax cuts for businesses.
BTW: Although Congress is still deliberating on the “cap n trade” issue, big business (corporate lobbyists) has already laid claim (behind closed doors) to 85% of the $600-800 billion /yr that “cap n trade” was going make. This money was to be used to help taxpayers off-set their higher energy bills and shore-up the deficit.
27 HowardWCampbelljr // Jun 23, 2009 at 5:28 pm
Does it really make a difference which state it is in? There will be companies popping up all around supporting this development. KY has several companies doing outsourced work right now for Nissan. Won’t we all benefit?
28 greg m. // Aug 5, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Whatever the reasons are for the company to locate in tennessee, it is very disappointing. I live and work in close proximity to the proposed site(Glendale)and hoped to possibly make a move to the new plant. However, I do believe the close proximity could benefit local suppliers such as mine (Brakes) anyway. Lets hope so.
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