Nissan Cutting SUV Production, Focusing On Increase In Altima Production

June 9, 2008 7:51 p.m. EST

Detroit, MI (AHN) - Nissan Motor Corp. plans to increase production of its top selling Altima model starting June 23.

As consumers continue to shift away from SUVs to more gas efficient cars, automakers continue to reduce production of trucks and SUVs in favor of hybrid and compact car models.

The Nissan announcement comes on the heels of similar statements by General Motors and Ford Motor Corp., both of which have reduced production of their truck lines over recent months.

Nissan will move one full production shift at its Canton, MS, plant away from SUV builds to production of the Altima, the automaker said in a statement Monday. The company expects an increase in production of 2,000 cars a month to 17,000.

Although most automakers have seen declines in their sales of autos across the board, Nissan has had some success with the Altima. May sales numbers showed a 38 percent increase in the Altima line from the same period one year earlier.