Nissan ships first V8 to Japan for 2011 Infiniti QX assembly

Nissan announced today that it has produced the first engine that will be shipped to Japan for assembly of the next-generation Infiniti QX56 full-size SUV. The move marks the first time a Nissan plant in the United States has exported an engine to Japan.

Nissan plans to export U.S. made 5.6L V8 engines and engine parts to Japan to install in the 2011 Infiniti QX56 that will be shipped back to U.S. dealerships.

Apparently, the round-trip is quicker and more cost-efficient than tooling up an engine plant in Japan for the SUVs.

The Infiniti QX56 has been produced at Nissan’s Canton, Miss., until now. Nissan is now moving production of the low-volume luxury SUV to an assembly plant at Shatai Kyushu, Japan.

– By: Stephen Calogera