Nissan Motor Co. on Friday began constructing its second U.S. auto assembly plant in Mississippi, which will manufacture next-generation vehicles.
The $930 million plant, located 25 km north of Jackson, the state capital, is scheduled to begin operations in the summer of 2003.
The plant will employ up to 4,000 people and produce 250,000 vehicles a year. Production will cover three new models -- a full-size pickup truck, a full-size sport utility vehicle and a minivan.
Nissan President Carlos Ghosn, who attended the ceremony to celebrate the start of construction, said the new plant will mark an important first step toward strengthening the company's profitability.
Nissan currently has an auto assembly plant in Tennessee.