Nissan’s Yokohama Plant breaches 40-M engine production milestone

Nissan announced that its plant in Yokohama has produced its 40 millionth engine in June.

In 1976, it reached its 10 millionth engine production milestone, and in 1986, its 20 millionth. In 1997, the Nissan Yokohama Plant reached its 30 millionth.

“We were able to reach the 40 million milestone thanks to so many customers around the world embracing our cars,” commented Nissan Yokohama Plant Manager Tamiyo Wada.

Established in 1935 — two years after the brand’s founding — Nissan’s Yokohama facility has produced some of the company’s iconic engines. These include the 1979 L20ET, which was Japan's first turbocharged passenger-car engine, and the 1983 VG, the Japan’s first mass-produced V6 engine.

“The world's first mass-produced VC Turbo engine achieves both high environmental performance and unparalleled power by adjusting the compression ratio,” Wada commented.

As society changes, so does Nissan’s Yokohama factory. Since the launch of the all-electric Leaf in 2010, the plant has been also producing motors, including those for e-Power vehicles such as the Nissan Note.

The Nissan Yokohama Plant also makes the VR38DETT engine, which is hand-assembled by skilled takumi master craftspeople for the Nissan GT-R. Since 2017 it has produced the VC Turbo — the world's first mass-produced engine featuring variable compression ratio technology.

Nissan pointed out that its Yokohama facility is approaching its 90th anniversary. On that note, the institution will continue to play a leading role in the development of Nissan’s cutting-edge production technology. In addition to producing motors and engines, it also serves as a pilot plant for the development of powertrain production technology that will have global applications.

A pilot line will be established in the plant to develop all-solid-state batteries next year, Nissan shared.

“Going forward, the Yokohama Plant will continue to provide high-quality innovative technologies and services to our customers,” Wada noted.

Photos from Nissan

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