Nissan vehicles are made in Japan and across a global manufacturing network that spans the United States, Mexico, the United Kingdom, India, and China.
Nissan is known for its fuel-efficient engines, the iconic Nissan GT-R sports car, the world-best-selling Nissan Leaf electric vehicle, and decades of reliable mainstream vehicles including the Altima and Sentra.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese automaker and a founding member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, one of the largest automotive groups in the world by combined annual vehicle sales.
Knowing where your Nissan is made helps you understand the manufacturing origins of your specific model and the quality standards that govern its assembly.
This article covers Nissan’s ownership, its main production locations, which models are made in the US, and how Nissan compares to Toyota and Honda in manufacturing footprint.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Nissan?
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a publicly traded Japanese company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Nissan is a founding member of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, formed in 1999. The three companies cross-hold stakes in each other and share platforms, engineering, and manufacturing resources.
No single company holds a majority stake in Nissan. Renault holds approximately 15% and the two companies have 15% cross-shareholding, but each brand operates its own management and product lineup independently.
Where Are Nissans Made in Japan?
Nissan’s home manufacturing base is spread across several Japanese plants. The Oppama plant in Kanagawa assembles the Leaf electric vehicle and the Note.
The Tochigi plant produces high-performance models including the GT-R and Nissan Z sports car. The Kyushu plant in Fukuoka is one of Nissan’s largest domestic facilities, assembling the X-Trail and Serena.
Japan remains the heart of Nissan’s engineering operations and produces the most technically complex vehicles in the lineup.
Which Nissans Are Made in the United States?
Nissan operates two major US assembly plants serving the North American market.
The Smyrna, Tennessee plant is Nissan’s largest US facility, assembling the Altima, Frontier pickup, Leaf, Murano, and Rogue. It has been in operation since 1983 and is one of the most productive automotive plants in the Southeast.
The Canton, Mississippi plant produces the Titan full-size pickup and the Pathfinder. Together, the two plants employ thousands of American workers and supply a significant share of Nissan’s North American sales.
Where Else Are Nissans Made?
Nissan produces vehicles in Mexico at plants in Aguascalientes and Cuernavaca, serving both North American and export markets. The Sentra, Versa, and Kicks are among the models assembled there.
Nissan operates a major plant in Sunderland, England, which has been one of the UK’s largest automotive employers and produces the Juke and Qashqai for European markets.
Additional Nissan manufacturing exists in India, China, South Africa, and several other countries, with local plants serving their respective regional markets.
Nissan vs Toyota vs Honda: Where Does Each Build?
All three are independent Japanese automakers with significant US manufacturing presence.
Toyota has the broadest US footprint with plants in Kentucky, Texas, Indiana, and Alabama. Honda concentrates in Ohio, Indiana, and Alabama. Nissan anchors its US production in Tennessee and Mississippi.
All three have invested heavily in US plants since the 1980s, making Japanese brands among the largest automotive employers in the American South.
What Models Does Nissan Currently Offer?
Nissan’s North American lineup covers sedans, SUVs, and trucks. Sedans include the Sentra, Altima, and Maxima. SUVs run from the Kicks and Rogue to the Murano, Pathfinder, and Armada.
The Frontier and Titan serve the pickup truck segment. The Leaf is Nissan’s volume electric vehicle. The Ariya electric SUV is Nissan’s newer EV entry, assembled in Japan.
Nissan also owns Infiniti, its dedicated luxury brand, which is sold separately through its own dealer network.
What Is Next for Nissan?
Nissan announced a major restructuring in late 2024, including workforce reductions and plant consolidation, as part of a wider effort to return to profitability.
The brand is expanding its EV lineup beyond the Leaf and Ariya, with additional electric models planned on a shared platform with Renault and Mitsubishi through the Alliance framework.
Nissan’s US plants in Smyrna and Canton remain central to its North American strategy and are not among the facilities targeted for significant reduction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Where Nissan Is Made
Is Nissan a Japanese company?
Yes. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a Japanese company founded in 1933 and headquartered in Yokohama, Japan. Despite its Alliance partnership with French automaker Renault, Nissan remains a Japanese corporation with its own management and board.
Is the Nissan Rogue made in the USA?
Yes. The Nissan Rogue is assembled at the Smyrna, Tennessee plant. It is one of Nissan’s best-selling US models and has been produced in Smyrna for a significant part of its production history.
Does Nissan own Infiniti?
Yes. Infiniti is Nissan’s luxury vehicle division, launched in 1989. Nissan owns and operates Infiniti as a separate brand with its own model lineup and dealer network, positioned above the mainstream Nissan range.
Is Nissan owned by Renault?
No. Nissan is not owned by Renault. The two companies are partners in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance with cross-shareholding arrangements. Renault holds approximately 15% of Nissan’s shares. Nissan operates as an independent publicly traded company with its own management.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.