Production of the eighth-generation 2016 Maxima is now underway at its home plant in Smyrna, Tennessee
The Tennessee Waltz
Prior to the opening of an assembly plant in Smyrna in 1983, jobs in the auto industry were virtually unheard of in Tennessee. More than thirty years later, nearly one-third of all manufacturing jobs in the Volunteer State are automotive-related, thanks in large part to Japanese automaker Nissan, who built that facility over three decades ago.
In addition to the plant, Nissan brought along a core of suppliers and, as the list grew in the ensuing years, these businesses are now located in eighty counties across the state.
Nissan Maxima
Nearly twenty years after the plant opened, Nissan began producing the Maxima in January of 2003. Since that time, nearly 800,000 copies of its flagship sedan have been produced in the U.S. of A. Currently the plant employs more than 8,400 people and, last year (2014), assembled more than 648,000 vehicles, making it the highest-producing automotive assembly plant in North America.
Earlier this week, marked by a ceremony at the Smyrna plant, Nissan began producing the eighth-generation Maxima, which made its global debut less than three weeks earlier at the 2015 New York Auto Show.
The new Maxima will be assembled on the same line as the Altima midsize sedan and all-electric compact Leaf hatchback. In addition, the Maxima's new 3.5-liter, VQ-series V6 engine will also call the Volunteer State home as it's assembled in Tennessee at Nissan's Decherd Powertrain Plant.
2016 Nissan Maxima prices
Pricing on the 2016 Maxima, which should be reaching dealerships in the coming weeks, has already been released as follows:
Maxima 3.5 S 3.5 Liter V6 Xtronic: $33,235
Maxima 3.5 SV 3.5 Liter V6 Xtronic: $35,215
Maxima 3.5 SL 3.5 Liter V6 Xtronic: $37,715
Maxima 3.5 SR 3.5 Liter V6 Xtronic: $38,495
Maxima Platinum 3.5 Liter V6 Xtronic: $40,685
Prices include a destination and handling charge of $825
Factory installed accessories
Splash Guards: $190 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
Special Paint - Pearl White: $395 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
Premium Spoiler (body color): $405 (S, SV, SL, Platinum)
Sport Spoiler (Black): $430 (SR)
Illuminated Kick Plates: $350 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
Floor Mats, Trunk Mat and Trunk Net: $220 (S, SV, SL, Platinum)
Sport Floor Mats, Trunk Mat and Trunk Nets: $255 (SR)
18" Wheel: $900 (SV, SL, Platinum)
Summer Tire Package: $450 (SR)
Port installed accessories
Rocker Panel Moldings: $420 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
External Ground Lighting: $240 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
Interior Lighting Package (20 color accent, console): $250 (S, SV, SL, SR, Platinum)
images courtesy of Nissan