Nissan Motors previously announced the signing of a Collaboration Protocol between the Junta de Castilla y León in Spain, the Ávila City Council and Nissan Motor Ibérica to develop an infrastructure network in the territory. The network aims to improve the competitiveness of the automaker’s light commercial vehicle production.
According to the Protocol, the Junta de Castilla y León will develop local logistics infrastructures and services that will facilitate Ávila’s role as a leading industrial player in the region. Ávila City Council will also provide a minimum of 11 hectares of land to house the infrastructures. The part of the car manufacturer is to provide the necessary technical support. As stated, Nissan will benefit from these services and infrastructure upon completion.
The infrastructure network includes parking and storage for a minimum of 1,650 trucks and containers; a park of suppliers with plants for a minimum of 8,500 square meters; a customs area dedicated to maximizing the speed of logistics procedures from Ávila to the global market; and a rail-road junction for the interchange of trucks and rail transport of parts and vehicles.
The services and logistics center will improve the capacity of the Avila plant to receive and integrate spare parts from leading countries at competitive costs, as well as to send KD spare parts to other Nissan plants. “With the collaboration of Nissan and the local authorities, we are creating the conditions to improve the cost structure of our plant and improve the efficiency of the entire supplier-plant value chain,” said José Vicente De Los Mozos, Vice President of Industrial Operations. of Nissan in Spain.
The automobile manufacturer will invest 1.6 million euros to build a 1,500-meter track as an exclusive testing ground for LCVs within the Ávila plant. The automaker will use the proving ground for extensive on-site product test drives to improve the quality of its products while supporting the development of upcoming Nissan vehicles. Auto parts such as Nissan ball joints, axle assembly and body kits will also be tested on the proving ground.
As announced in the 2010 Nissan Green Program, the company is undertaking a wide range of environmental initiatives in reducing CO2 and promoting energy conservation through increased use of renewable energy resources. Thus, the Ávila plant will have the largest solar panel structure in Spain for industrial use. The total area of the solar panels will add up to 1,335 square meters and will generate 608,000 Kwh per year. This will reduce 267 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
“We want the Ávila plant to be the best Nissan light truck production plant in the world. The enhancements we are announcing today represent an investment in the future of Nissan’s light commercial vehicle business and the Avila plant’s commitment to ever-increasing competitiveness. De Los Mozos pointed out.
