Newest Altima rolls off Tenn. production line

Friday, May 11, 2012, Vol. 36, No. 19

SMYRNA (AP) - The first redesigned Nissan Altima is rolling off the production line in Smyrna, where the best-selling mid-size sedan has been produced for the last 20 years.

Nissan officials on Tuesday celebrated the production of the first of the fifth generation of the Altima and the launch of five all-new Nissan vehicles coming in the next 15 months.

The plant in Smyrna will also be producing the LEAF electric vehicles and the batteries that power it, as well the next-generation Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Rogue. The plant employs approximately 5,600 employees and also produces the Frontier, Maxima and Xterra models and the 2013 Infiniti JX.

The new Altima will be available at dealerships in June with a retail price of around $21,500.