Auto Manufacturing in Rutherford County Is on a Roll

Jeff Adkins

When the first vehicle – a white pickup truck – rolled off the assembly line at Nissan’s Smyrna plant in June 1983, it put Rutherford County on the path to becoming a major player in the nation’s auto manufacturing industry. Since then, Nissan has built 15 million vehicles in Smyrna, where it employs nearly 6,000 people. And auto manufacturing in Rutherford County continues to thrive and grow.

Today, the industry employs about 14,000 people in Rutherford County in total, says Patrick Cammack, senior vice president of economic development for the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce. 

Why Does the Auto Industry Thrive Here?

Hard-to-match advantages make the region the perfect location for businesses looking to expand or relocate, which is why the industry has only grown since Nissan made its mark. 

“I would say our highlights are a strong educational ecosystem, skilled workforce, population growth, business-friendly environment, high quality of life and central location in the Eastern U.S.,” Cammack says. 

Nissan was the first foreign-owned vehicle assembly plant in the South and one of the most important industrial recruitment successes of all time for Tennessee. 

Auto Manufacturing in Rutherford County Brings Excellence 

“For the past 40 years, the Nissan Smyrna plant has stood as a cornerstone of our North American operations,” says Jérémie Papin, senior vice president of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and chairperson of Nissan Americas. 

“What began with one pickup truck now represents more than four decades of manufacturing excellence and community investment. Today, nearly 6,000 employees in Smyrna are integral members of the Nissan family. Together, they make a significant impact in the lives of our customers by delivering innovation, reliability and unparalleled quality. Their collective efforts ensure that every Nissan driver enjoys a product shaped by the passion that defines our team,” he says. 

The Smyrna factory has an annual production capacity of 640,000 vehicles. It makes the Nissan LEAF, Nissan Murano, Nissan Pathfinder, Nissan Rogue and INFINITI QX60. Batteries for the all-electric LEAF are also produced in Smyrna by Envision AESC. 

Bridgestone Americas, which has made tires in La Vergne since 1972, is another example of an auto parts manufacturer that has a significant impact on the local economy. The plant produces truck and bus radial tires and continues today to play a vital role in the community by employing nearly 1,000 people. 

“Our plant’s long history is due to the dedication of so many who have invested in our plant – first and foremost, our teammates and retirees, as well as the ongoing support of our customers and the Rutherford County community,” says Shane Petty, plant manager of Bridgestone Americas’ La Vergne plant. 

International Investments in Rutherford County 

Many of the other auto parts suppliers doing business in the region may not be household names, but anyone who drives a vehicle probably uses their products. WEGMANN automotive USA, for example, is a global market leader in the production of wheel balance weights, air control products and battery bushing terminals. 

Its partners include most of the world’s best-known automotive vehicle manufacturers as well as major spare parts distribution companies. The company estimates its products can be found installed on two-thirds of the world’s vehicles. 

The auto parts industry is a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the county. The chamber’s Cammack says many of the auto parts suppliers in Rutherford County are international companies. 

The industry grew again in the summer of 2023 when Minnesota-based McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing Inc., part of the Oshkosh Corp., announced an investment of $25.2 million to expand its manufacturing operations. The expansion, which came less than a year after McNeilus began operations in Rutherford County, will create 100 new jobs. 

McNeilus is a manufacturer of purpose-built commercial vehicles and equipment. The company makes custom vehicle components in Murfreesboro, and over the next five years, it will employ more than 300 people in Rutherford County. 

“We look forward to growing our footprint in Murfreesboro even further with additional welding and fabrication work for our purpose-built vehicles. This investment will enable us to meet our strategic growth initiatives more effectively, serving the customers who rely on us each day,” says Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corp. executive vice president and president of vocational segment.