Nissan has officially closed its historic CIVAC plant in Morelos after 60 years of operations, shifting all production to its Aguascalientes facilities. The move marks the end of an era for Mexico’s automotive industry but ensures Nissan’s continued presence in the country.
Closure of CIVAC Plant
- Date of closure: March 27, 2026
- Location: CIVAC, Cuernavaca, Morelos
- Significance: First Nissan manufacturing plant outside Japan, opened in 1966.
- Impact: Thousands of families in Morelos had ties to the plant, which became a cornerstone of local industry.
Production Shift
- New sites: Nissan 1 and Nissan 2 plants in Aguascalientes.
- Capacity: Nearly 500,000 vehicles per year.
- Models historically produced at CIVAC: Tsuru, Sentra, Tiida, Versa, NP300 Frontier, NV200 taxi, among others.
- Exports: Vehicles from CIVAC were shipped to United States, Canada, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Historical Legacy
- CIVAC began with 740 employees and produced the Datsun Bluebird as its first model.
- Over decades, it expanded to more than 5,000 workers, manufacturing cars, trucks, and parts.
- The plant symbolized Mexico’s rise as a global automotive hub, competing with U.S. automakers.
Strategic Reasoning
- Part of Nissan’s Re:Nissan global plan, aimed at consolidating production for efficiency.
- Recent years saw models like the Sentra moved to Aguascalientes, leaving CIVAC focused mainly on NP300.
- The closure reflects a shift toward modern facilities in the Bajío region.
- While the closure is a major emotional and economic blow to Morelos, Nissan confirms it is not leaving Mexico.
- The company remains committed to Mexican production, with Aguascalientes now serving as its central hub.
The end of CIVAC’s operations closes a historic chapter, but Nissan’s future in Mexico continues with renewed focus on efficiency and competitiveness.
Source: OEM
