40 millionth engine milestone
IT’S double delight for Y K Almoayyed & sons, the sole distributor of Nissan in Bahrain, as the brand’s Yokohama Plant has produced its 40 millionth engine in June and is also approaching its 90th anniversary.
The plant, which commenced operations in 1935, two years after Nissan’s founding, built its 10 millionth engine in 1976, its 20 millionth in 1986 and its 30 millionth in 1997.
However, reaching the 40 million milestone in the same year that the plant celebrates its 90th anniversary makes this achievement all the more special.
“We were able to reach the 40 million milestone thanks to so many customers around the world embracing our cars,” said plant manager Tamiyo Wada.
A number of engines made by the Yokohama Plant have left their mark on automotive history such as the 1979 L20ET, which was Japan’s first turbocharged passenger-car engine, and the 1983 VG, the country’s first mass-produced V6 engine.
The Yokohama Plant now makes the VR38DETT engine, which is hand-assembled by skilled Takumi master craftspeople for the Nissan GT-R.
In Japan, when an individual has developed his or her skills with years or decades of experience they receive the title of Takumi, meaning master craftsman.
And since 2007, the plant has produced the VC Turbo – the world’s first mass-produced engine featuring variable compression ratio technology.
“The world’s first mass-produced VC Turbo engine achieves both high environmental performance and unparalleled power by adjusting the compression ratio,” added Mr Wada.
Meanwhile, since the launch of the all-electric LEAF in 2010, the plant has also been producing motors, including those for e-POWER vehicles such as the Nissan Note.
In the fiscal year of 2022, motors accounted for approximately 40 per cent of Yokohama Plant’s production.
In addition to producing motors and engines, it also serves as a pilot plant for the development of powertrain production technology that will have global applications.
Next year, a pilot line will be established at the plant to develop all-solid-state batteries.
“Going forward, the Yokohama Plant will continue to provide high-quality innovative technologies and services to our customers,” said Mr Wada.
Source: https://www.gdnonline.com/Details/1289227/40-millionth-engine-milestone