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Nissan is entering the North American light commercial vehicle (LCV) business. The OEM is planning three all-new products; the first will appear in early 2010.

Nissan’s global LCV chief Andy Palmer said: “The LCV business is a substantial part of Nissan’s international sales and profitability. We already have operations in Japan, China and Europe so it’s natural that we expand our business in North America.”

Nissan plans to expand its LCV business in North America, producing a range of vehicles below 8-tonne gross vehicle weight. Besides investment for tooling and development of the three vehicles, Nissan will invest $118 million to expand production at its plant in Canton, Missouri to manufacture LCVs.

Manufacturing chief Bill Krueger said: “ Canton will be the manufacturing hub for these products, key to our growth in the US. To accommodate the LCVs, Nissan will not produce the next-generation Nissan Quest minivan and Infiniti QX56 luxury SUV at Canton.” Further details of the production shift will follow later.

Nissan is working with Cummins and ZF on the engines and gearboxes. Cummins will supply two diesel engines. ZF will supply an automatic transmission.