Nissan to Begin Car Assembly in Myanmar with Tan Chong
Nissan will start assembling the Sunny sedan in Myanmar this year, working with Tan Chong Motor Group and training local staff ahead of a new plant opening.
Nissan will start assembling cars in Myanmar in 2016, partnering with Tan Chong Motor Group to produce the Sunny compact sedan. The Japanese manufacturer confirmed it would use Tan Chong’s existing facility for initial assembly, ahead of a planned move to a new plant in the Bago region.
The project marks Nissan’s first local production in Myanmar. The new plant, once operational, is expected to employ around 300 workers and reach an annual capacity of 10,000 vehicles. Nissan has said the venture is part of its strategy to expand in emerging markets, following earlier investments in India, Brazil, Russia and Nigeria.
Workforce training and local supply chain
To prepare for the start of assembly, 200 Myanmar employees are undergoing training at Tan Chong’s Malaysian operations. This knowledge-transfer programme is intended to equip the local workforce with skills for vehicle assembly and plant operations. Nissan and Tan Chong also plan to expand their business network, which currently includes a branch office and dealerships in Yangon.
Myanmar model line-up and market context
Nissan began selling vehicles in Myanmar in 2013, with a line-up including the X-Trail SUV, Altima saloon, Navara pickup, NV350 Urvan van and Civilian minibus. The Sunny will be the first model assembled locally. The company expects demand in Myanmar to grow as economic reforms continue, and aims to position itself for long-term growth in the region.
For comparison, Nissan’s approach in Myanmar is similar to its strategy in other emerging markets, such as India, where it established local assembly to serve regional demand. For more on Nissan’s market strategies, see Renault and Nissan plan €3,000 city car to take on Tata Nano in India.
