Nissan recently announced that production of the all-new 2018 LEAF is officially underway at their Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant. The LEAF is the best-selling all-electric vehicle on the planet. The 2018 models will include the ProPILOT assist technology that helps drivers navigate stop-and-go traffic by assisting with the control of acceleration, braking, and steering during single-lane highway driving.
The LEAF also incorporates automatic emergency braking (AEB) and e-Pedal technology, allowing drivers to accelerate and stop with a single pedal. Although it was launched in 2010, Smyrna has been the home of LEAF production since 2013. Nearly 115,000 of the vehicles have been sold in the U.S. since 2011, and more than 290,000 have been sold worldwide since its debut. The 2018 models will have a single-charge range of just over 150 miles.
The Nissan Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant first began producing vehicles in 1983 and has delivered more than 12 million new automobiles since opening its doors. The 5.9 million-square-foot facility also makes the Altima, Maxima, Pathfinder, Rogue, and INFINITI QX60. It has an annual production capacity of 640,000 vehicles and employs more than 8,000 workers.
Tennessee appears to be a hotbed of electric vehicle manufacturing activity. Earlier this week, Volkswagen announced plans to expand its production of electric vehicles in nearby Chattanooga, which is about two hours southeast of Smyrna.