Infinity Electric Car Likely to be Built from Same Nissan Leaf's Plant

The all-new electric Infiniti will likely to be built at the same Tennessee factory where Nissan Leaf EV will be built.

Debuting the Infinity LE Concept at the New York International Auto Show earlier this month, the Japanese luxury brand plans to make the electric car available to the market by 2014. The production will most likely take place in Nissan's plant in Smyrna, Tenn..

“In a future that holds an increasing consumption of natural resources, Nissan will advance sustainability, mobility, leadership and expand our EV market penetration with new electric vehicles such as the Infiniti LE Concept,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and CEO.

“No other luxury brand has the corporate EV experience, the advanced battery technology, or the sustainable product credibility to claim a leadership in zero emission luxury car market except our Infiniti,” added Ghosn.

According to the details from the automaker, the Infiniti LE Concept’s battery pack will be a 24-kwh lithium-ion, which is the same battery used in Nissan Leaf EV. Nissan added that the car will have about 22 percent more horsepower and 14 percent more torque than the Leaf. The exterior size will be similar to that of Infiniti G sedan.

By the time the production begins, the plant in Tennessee will be one of the largest of its kind in the United States. Approximately 200,000 batteries will be produced each year. Industry experts have said the production will roughly create 1,300 jobs.

EDIT: The article previously mentioned that the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle is already in production at the Smyrna plant. Nissan plans to start the production by late 2012, but it has not happened yet.