Nissan's Australian Origins: Where Are They Made?

where is nissan made for australia

Nissan Motor Co. (Australia) Pty. Ltd. is the Australian subsidiary of Nissan and a former automobile manufacturer. Nissan automobiles were imported to Australia as early as the 1930s. In the 1960s, Nissan began assembling up to 20,000 Bluebirds annually for the Australian market. Nissan's automobile production in Australia ended in 1992. However, Nissan still manufactures parts in Australia, with a plant in Dandenong South, Victoria, which produces castings for the Nissan LEAF, the first mass-market zero-tailpipe emission all-electric car.

Characteristics Values
Year Nissan opened its Australian headquarters 1972
Year Nissan ended automobile production in Australia 1992
Location of Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) Dandenong South, Victoria
NCAP's export markets Japan, the US, Romania, Thailand, Mexico
Number of parts manufactured by NCAP annually 2.6 million die-cast aluminium parts and over 16,000 tow bars
Export value of parts manufactured by NCAP $82.5 million
Number of workers at NCAP 192
Number of shifts at NCAP 3
Number of days NCAP operates in a week 7
Machinery at NCAP Four melting furnaces, 13 die-casting machines, 55 robots, 34 machining centres
NCAP's key machinery suppliers ABB, Fanuc, DMG Mori Seiki

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Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) in Dandenong South, Victoria

Nissan Motor Corporation has a strong presence in Australia, with its headquarters opening in 1972, where cars were manufactured for the next two decades. Today, the Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) in Dandenong South, Victoria, is the only remaining Nissan manufacturing plant in Australia. This facility makes parts for Nissan vehicles worldwide and is a significant contributor to the local economy and employment.

The Dandenong South Casting Plant, also known as NCAP, has been operational since 1982. It is a manufacturer-operated facility that produces castings for various Nissan models, including the Nissan Leaf, Navara, Qashqai, Pathfinder, and X-Trail vehicles. The plant has a global reach, exporting vehicle components to Nissan assembly and powertrain plants around the world.

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant in Dandenong South is a hub of innovation and advanced manufacturing. The facility runs three shifts a day, utilising state-of-the-art equipment and robotics to produce over one million die-cast aluminium parts and a significant number of local accessories annually. The plant features four melting furnaces and 13 die-casting machines of varying capacities, contributing to its high production volume.

NCAP's recent success includes securing exclusive manufacturing contracts with Nissan Japan to produce castings for their new model electric vehicles (EVs) and e-POWER vehicles. This significant development ensures long-term profitability and job security for the plant. The Dandenong South location was instrumental in securing these contracts, solidifying Dandenong's reputation as an advanced manufacturing hub.

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant is more than just a manufacturing facility; it embodies the company's commitment to teamwork, cultural diversity, and innovation. The plant employs a highly skilled workforce, including engineers who collaborate closely with development teams in Japan. This collaboration has made NCAP a mother plant for the manufacture of EV and e-POWER powertrain components, showcasing Nissan's dedication to staying at the forefront of automotive technology.

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NCAP's advanced oil-based die-spray equipment

Nissan cars were manufactured in Australia from 1972 until 1992. The Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) in Dandenong South, Victoria, is the only remaining Nissan manufacturing plant in Australia. The plant manufactures parts for Nissan vehicles worldwide, including the Nissan LEAF, the first mass-market zero-tailpipe emission all-electric car.

The next step involves transitioning to the oil-based coating. The pick-up tube from the airless sprayer is placed into the oil-based coating, and the spray/prime valve is set to prime. This process primes the fluid section of the equipment with the new coating. Finally, the spray/prime switch is adjusted to spray, and the trigger is held until the oil-based material begins to be sprayed from the airless paint sprayer.

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NCAP's exclusive contracts with Nissan Global

Nissan Motor Australia opened its headquarters in 1972, where it manufactured cars for the next 20 years. The Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) in Dandenong South, Victoria, is the only remaining plant of its kind in Australia. The plant manufactures parts for Nissan vehicles worldwide and employs highly skilled workers who operate three shifts a day, producing over one million die-cast aluminium parts and numerous local accessories annually.

NCAP has played a crucial role in the production of zero-emission electric vehicles, specifically the Nissan LEAF. In 2016, the plant was awarded exclusive global manufacturing contracts worth $160 million to develop aluminium components for the Nissan LEAF, the world's first zero-emission, five-door family hatch. These components included the inverter case, inverter water jacket, and water jacket cover. The contracts were signed with the support of the Federal Green Car Innovation Fund and the Victorian Government's Business Assistance Grant.

The exclusive contracts with Nissan Global have secured 145 jobs at NCAP, and the plant's future is guaranteed until at least 2025. Nissan has invested significantly in the plant, committing over $11 million to NCAP, with additional financial grants from the State Government of Victoria and the Federal Government. The plant has also benefited from various government grants ranging from $800,000 to $3.7 million, with a recent grant of $2.5 million.

NCAP's capabilities include 13 multi-million-dollar die-cast machines capable of producing parts for electric vehicles and other Nissan models such as the Qashqai, Navara, and X-Trail. The plant has become a mother plant for the manufacture of EV and e-POWER powertrain components, with a team of highly skilled engineers collaborating closely with development teams in Japan. NCAP's exclusive contracts with Nissan Global have been instrumental in sustaining local manufacturing in Australia and ensuring the plant's long-term viability.

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Nissan's Australian headquarters opened in 1972

Nissan's Australian story began in 1972 with the opening of its headquarters, where the company manufactured cars for the next two decades. The Dandenong South Casting Plant in Victoria was the only remaining plant of its kind in Australia. It produced parts for Nissan vehicles worldwide, employing highly skilled workers across three shifts a day. This plant played a pivotal role in the company's operations, securing jobs and generating profits well into the future.

The establishment of the Australian headquarters marked a significant step for Nissan in the region. For 20 years, this facility was a hub of automotive manufacturing, producing a range of Nissan models. The company's presence in Australia continued to evolve, with independent production commencing in Clayton in 1977 with the Datsun 200B. This Australian model stood out with its unique rear axle design, differing from its Japanese version.

The Dandenong South Casting Plant exemplified Nissan's commitment to innovation and sustainability. In recent years, the plant secured exclusive manufacturing contracts with Nissan Japan to produce castings for the Nissan LEAF, the company's first mass-market zero-tailpipe emission all-electric car. This initiative positioned Nissan at the forefront of the evolving automotive industry, embracing new technologies and environmentally conscious solutions.

Nissan's journey in Australia is characterised by growth and adaptation. While the company's initial years in the country focused on car manufacturing, the changing market dynamics led to a shift in strategies. By the early 2020s, Nissan Australia was preparing to move its national headquarters to Mulgrave, located in the southeastern suburbs of Melbourne. This move reflected the company's evolution and its commitment to providing a modern and environmentally friendly workplace for its employees.

The new custom-built facility in Mulgrave offered a range of advantages, including proximity to Melbourne's central business district and state-of-the-art amenities. Spread across multiple floors, the new office space, workshop, and parking facilities were designed to enhance Nissan Australia's operations. This relocation signified Nissan's ongoing pursuit of excellence and its dedication to creating a positive impact on its customers, employees, and the wider community.

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Nissan's automobile production in Australia ended in 1992

In 1991, production fell to less than 36,000 vehicles, a significant drop from the nearly 58,000 produced in 1990. This decline ultimately led to the cessation of Nissan's automobile manufacturing in Australia the following year.

Despite ending car assembly operations in Australia, Nissan retained its casting plant, the Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP), in Dandenong South, Victoria. This plant is the only remaining Nissan manufacturing facility of its kind in Australia. NCAP employs a highly skilled workforce, operating three shifts a day to produce over a million die-cast aluminium parts and numerous local accessories annually. The plant has become a critical site for the manufacture of EV and e-POWER powertrain components, with a team of engineers working closely with development teams in Japan.

NCAP has secured exclusive manufacturing contracts with Nissan Japan, including for the Nissan LEAF, the company's first mass-market zero-tailpipe emission electric car. The precision and quality of NCAP's manufacturing processes have been instrumental in securing these contracts. The plant boasts advanced equipment, such as the most advanced oil-based die-spray equipment in the Nissan network, and is the only Nissan plant globally to conduct helium leak testing.

NCAP's export markets span multiple continents, including Japan, the US, Romania, Thailand, and Mexico. The components manufactured at the plant appear on various models made by Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Renault. Each component proudly bears a kangaroo insignia, signifying its Australian origin.

Frequently asked questions

Nissan cars have been manufactured in Australia, specifically in Clayton, where independent production began in 1977. However, Nissan's automobile production in Australia ended in 1992. While Nissan cars are no longer built in Australia, Nissan continues to operate a casting plant in Dandenong South, Victoria, which manufactures parts for Nissan vehicles worldwide.

The Nissan Casting Australia Plant (NCAP) is a manufacturing plant in Dandenong South, Victoria, that produces parts for Nissan vehicles. The plant employs highly skilled workers and engineers who work closely with development teams in Japan. NCAP has been operational for almost four decades and is the only remaining Nissan manufacturing plant of its kind in Australia.

The NCAP manufactures various parts, including those specific to oil pans, gearbox, and final-drive housing. They also produce parts for electric vehicles, such as the Inverter Water Jacket and the motor's stator housing. These parts are exported worldwide and appear on models made by Nissan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, and Renault.

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