DECHERD, Tenn. - Business is booming for Nissan thanks in part to the Leaf. Because of that success, the automaker is adding jobs to its plant in Decherd.
Nissan announced the plant expansion on Tuesday. Beginning in 2013, motors for the Nissan Leaf will be produced in the Decherd plant. Work to add the electric motors will begin right away and the expansion is expected to add up to 90 jobs.
Right now, the Decherd plant makes gasoline engines for all vehicles Nissan assembles at its two U.S. plants, and it employs about 900 people.
Nissan also announced the base price of its 2012 Leaf will be $35,200. That's up nearly $2,500 from the 2011 model year.
Drivers can also lease the Leaf for around $369 per month, which is up $19.
The company is also expanding the territory where customers can order the Leaf. They plan to add 21 states by the end of the year.
Nissan has sold 4,200 Leafs since the car went on sale last year.
