Nissan Mulls New Infiniti Factory in N. America

Nissan Motor Co. is considering whether to open a new assembly plant in North America in about 2017 with annual capacity of at least 100,000 Infiniti brand vehicles per year, The Wall Street Journal reports.

Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen says the unit hasn't decided where in the region it might build such a facility. But he adds that Canada would be a "compelling" option. De Nysschen adds that he is holding "exploratory" talks with the country's industry minister this week.

Canada and the European Union expect to complete a free trade agreement this summer, which would make the former a viable manufacturing base for exporting vehicles to Europe, the Journal notes. Nissan currently has factories in Mexico, Mississippi and Tennessee.

All Infiniti models currently are made in Japan, except for the JX midsize crossover built at Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tenn. But the company aims to produce more vehicles in the markets where they are sold to avoid unfavorable exchange rates. Infiniti plans to begin building two unidentified models next year at a Nissan joint venture in Xiangyang, China.

North American production also could help Infiniti meet its goal of more than tripling global sales to 500,000 units from 2011 to 2016.