• Production begins of new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder gasoline engines
• New 310,000-square foot facility in Decherd, Tennessee
• Represents a $319 million investment
• Supports an estimated 400 new jobs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (June 26, 2014) – Infiniti today began production at the Infiniti Decherd Powertrain Plant, a partnership between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler AG. The first engine to be assembled at the all-new facility is a 2.0-litre turbocharged gasoline 4-cylinder developed by Daimler. The engines will initially be used in European versions of the Infiniti Q50 sports saloon and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class assembled in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Presiding over today’s opening celebration were Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, Infiniti Motor Company President Johan de Nysschen, Infiniti Americas Vice President Michael Bartsch, Infiniti Decherd Powertrain Operations and Battery Plant Vice President Gary Edwards and Daimler AG Head of Engine Production Erhard Schletterer.

“The opening of this new facility is the beginning of our manufacturing expansion. Infiniti needs additional capacity to fuel the expected growth which will be driven by our expanding portfolio,” said de Nysschen. “At the same time, this plant is an excellent demonstration of the strong partnership we have with Daimler AG.  It will leverage the technologies, expertise and highest level of manufacturing standards from both companies, which, in turn, benefit from the synergy and economies of scale of this joint effort.”

Around 200 new jobs have been added to date, with that number expected to increase to 400 once the plant ramps up to its full 250,000 engine annual capacity.

Construction of the ground-up $319 million, 310,000-square foot facility began in May 2012. It incorporates a number of energy efficient design features, such as a heat-reflecting white roof and natural daytime lighting through use of a skylight grid.

Infiniti had previously announced that later this year, it will start local production of the extended wheel base versions of our new Q50 sports saloon and the QX50 crossover in China, and for the Chinese market. Next year, the company will start production of our Q30 premium compact car in the UK, for global markets.