Nissan Begins Ambitious Recruitment and Training Program for 3,000 Employees for its New Automotive Complex in Mexico

• Recruitment and training process will be performed in a record 18 months
• Programs are carried out in stages, leveraging the talent and experience of the first Nissan plant at Aguascalientes, which now serves as the "mother plant" of the second automotive complex.
• Considering the 3,000 new employees hired for Phase 1 of the new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, by the end of 2013 the Nissan Mexicana team total more than 14,500 employees.

AGUASCALIENTES, Mexico - Nissan Mexicana announced that it is the midst of preparations for the launch of its new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes, Mexico. This process includes the recruitment and training of personnel to ensure the delivery of high quality and productivity standards, in record time. 

The automotive company's goal is to hire and train 3,000 employees by the end of 2013, when Phase 1 of the complex begins production. The company´s recruitment and training activities are intensive, highly-structured and based on two key methodologies: Nissan Production Way (NPW) and Nissan Way (NW). NPW focuses on quality, cost, time and productivity principles, while Nissan Way refers to the employee profile required to support the delivery of objectives and the fulfillment of commitments set by the global organization.

Armando Ávila, vice president of Manufacturing at Nissan Mexicana, said: "We deliver high quality vehicles to over 100 countries and there is great, unmet demand for our vehicles. To satisfy this demand, Nissan is in midst of increasing our domestic manufacturing capacity in Mexico from over 600,000 a year to more than 1 million in the mid-term. We are preparing for the future by investing in Mexican talent that will embrace Nissan´s culture of quality and productivity and help keep Mexico under the spotlight of global automotive industry."

José Luis Valls, president and CEO of Nissan Mexicana, said: "Nissan considered several countries and Mexican states before selecting the site where we would invest 2 billion dollars in a new automotive complex. One of the criteria that tipped the balance toward Mexico was the strong culture of quality and productivity that we embrace at Nissan Mexicana. Another factor was the unique opportunity to transfer knowledge and experience from a leading plant in Aguascalientes, to an automotive complex just 7 kilometers away. This is a unique and invaluable advantage within the auto industry that will allow us to kick-start operations in record time."

The recruitment process for the new complex in Aguascalientes began with the development, growth and professional recognition of the staff currently working at the first Nissan plant, established in 1982. The best professionals in their respective areas have been selected to be the trainers of the next generation, which will allow to have a pyramid of talent and give employees the recognition they deserve.

To ensure that Nissan has the very best talent, applicants must complete a strict process that includes:

1. Sending application materials to Nissan
2. An interview to determine whether the candidate is suitable or not for the training process
3. Complete a six-month training process (at Nissan School)
4. Present and gain approval of a special project determined by Nissan executives
5. Complete hiring process
6. Join manufacturing activities at the existing plant so that, at the appropriate time, the employee would be transferred to the new complex

The Nissan School´s training program in Aguascalientes entails a six month process including: induction on the company, training on manufacturing processes, practical training on multiple specialties and projects, performance evaluation and presentation of objectives to Nissan executives - all culminating in the hiring process.

After 17 informational sessions a different academic institutions in Aguascalientes* targeting 2,150 students, 128 people were immediately hired. They have begun training activities at the existing plant in the state. Additionally, 208 technical professionals and engineers who entered the Nissan School for training will be hired by the end of July. During fiscal year 2012, it is estimated that 595 new employees will be trained with 2,216 completing the process by the end of fiscal year 2013 (April, 2013 - March, 2014).

Nissan´s new manufacturing complex is expected to generate 3,000 direct jobs and 9,000 indirect jobs. By the end of 2013, Nissan´s team will Mexico will total more than 14,500 employees.

A tradition of quality manufacturing
The first Nissan plant in Aguascalientes established in 1982 is considered a "mother plant" for new Nissan operations. Among its duties is to transfer talent and operational knowledge to new projects. The concept of "mother plant" entails counseling during the construction, recruitment, training and ramp up of production activities. Mexican technicians and engineers from the Aguascalientes plant have already been sent to train manufacturing personnel in the United States, Brazil, Thailand, South Africa and Russia - and now - to the new Aguascalientes complex being developed 7 kilometers away from the first plant.

* Aguascalientes educational institutions:
Conalep: Colegio Nacional de Educación Profesional Técnica
CECyTEA: Colegio de Estudios Científicos y Tecnológicos del Estado de Aguascalientes
UTNA: Universidad Tecnológica del Norte de Aguascalientes
UTA: Universidad Tecnológica de Aguascalientes

About the new automotive complex in Aguascalientes
To support the growth strategy of the company in the Americas, Nissan announced a 2 billion dollars investment for the construction of a new manufacturing complex in Aguascalientes. During Phase 1 of its development, the new facility will have a production capacity of more than 175,000 Nissan vehicles based on the B platform. It will include body, stamping, chassis and paint facilities, as well as parts warehouse and logistics operations. With the completion of Phase 1 of this project, Nissan expects to increase domestic production from more than 600,000 to more than one million units per year, in the medium term.

About Nissan Mexicana
Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. established in Mexico in 1961. It has Corporate, Marketing, Sales, Manufacturing, Distribution, and Design facilities in Aguascalientes, Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Toluca. In 2011 it reached 50 years of operating in Mexico. It currently employs over 11,500 workers and employees. In 2011 it commercialized 224,509 vehicles in Mexico, with a market share of 24.8% (6.2 pp over 2010), and produced 607,087 units for domestic and export markets. In 2012 it has commercialized 97,981 units up to May. Nissan is committed to environmental improvement under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose objectives include the reduction of CO2 emissions and recycling improvements. Also, the ANDANAC/Nissan Foundation administers a Social Relief Fund for the construction of public elementary schools. Over 11 years, 65 schools have been built and equipped to benefit 31,480 underprivileged children in the country.

About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is the second largest Japanese car company by volume, with central offices in Yokohama, Japan, and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with over 248,000 employees around the world, Nissan commercialized over four million vehicles in, generating ¥8.77 thousand billion yen in revenue ($102.37 billion USD). With a strong commitment to develop emotional and innovative products for all, Nissan offers a wide range of 64 models through the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable 100% electric mass-produced vehicle, winner of numerous international awards, including the coveted 2011 European Car of the Year and 2011 World Car of the Year. For more information on our products, services and our commitment on sustainable mobility, please visit our web site: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

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