Nissan to open new studio in Beijing

After last week's announcement of leadership changes at Nissan's North American and European design centers, Nissan Investment Co., Ltd (NCIC), a Nissan subsidiary in China, today revealed plans to expand its global design resources with the establishment of a new design studio in Beijing.

"With the addition of 20 designers, Nissan's new studio will enhance our design capabilities, as well as our product competitiveness in China and Asia where the automotive industry continues to see robust growth," said Shiro Nakamura, chief creative officer and senior vice president of design and brand.

"Locating the studio where our customers live and work allows us to best respond to their needs and design vehicles that exceed their expectations."

Scheduled to open early in 2011, the studio in the Chao Yang district of Beijing will be the first design facility in China established by a Japanese automaker. The company claims the trendsetting city was a natural choice for a design studio because of its budding design community that includes a number of up-and-coming automotive designers.

The studio will be part of the global network of Nissan design centers, which includes two facilities in Japan (Atsugi and Harajuku), one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom.

NCIC plans to invest RMB 11.76 million ($1.7 million) in the new studio.

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By Eric Gallina