Nissan North America will enter the light commercial vehicle business in North America with three new vehicles in three years, the first of which will be launched in the first half of 2010.


The company says it will partner with Cummins for the engines and ZF Friedrichshafen AG for the transmissions.

Leading the LCV Business Unit in the United States will be Joe Castelli, recently named vice president, Light Commercial Vehicle and Fleet, NNA. He recently joined Nissan North America from Ford Motor Co., where he served for more than 23 years in various capacities including commercial-vehicle operations.

Key to this new strategy is the Nissan plant in Canton, Miss., which will become the manufacturing center for a range of new LCV products aimed at the significant North American commercial vehicle market.

The dealer network will be selected from existing Nissan dealers, which will become specialized centers for the sales and servicing of Nissan's new LCV product range. NNA is beginning discussions with its dealer body to prepare for the arrival of LCVs.

As Nissan launches new products in new segments, the LCV line-up will remain within the limit of 8-ton GVW and will focus on maintaining the highest standard of quality.

More information about Nissan's global LCV strategy can be found at www.nissanlcv.com.