Sporty Juke Nismo on the lines
2013-01-29 10:46
ROLLING OFF THE LINE: Above shows Nissan's new Juke Nismo in production at the automaker's factory in Sunderland, England. The new model will be sold globally in 2013.
SUNDERLAND, England - Production of the 2013 Nissan Juke Nismo is well under way at the automaker's factory in Sunderland, north-east England.
Engineers integrated the build into the existing production lines without a delay even though modifications were required to accommodate the cars' front and rear bumpers and other elements.
More than 330 000 Jukes have been built at the factory since launch in 2010. The plant also assembles the Nissan Note, Qashqai and Qashqai+2. In 2012 it set production record of 510 000 units, up from its previous best of 480 000 in 2011.
PRODUCTION BENCHMARK
The 2010 benchmark of 420 000 was the first time that any UK vehicle plant had assembled more than 400 000 passenger vehicles in one year.
When the plant opened in 1986 employees assembled 12.5 cars per hour. The figure is now an astonishing 118 - 60 on Line 1 and 58 on Line 2.
Nissan reports that 80% of its Sunderland production is exported mainly to Europe but a total of 97 international markets.
The Juke Nismo is the first of a range of models to draw from the Japanese automaker's motorsport success. It has a more aerodynamic body kit, driver-focused interior upgrades and a powerful turbocharged engine.
Nissan commented: "The Nismo's tiffer suspension and modified steering means an enhanced dynamic experience, with sportier handling and improved traction."
