Nissan has started manufacturing the all-new 2016 Maxima sedan at its Smyrna Vehicle Assembly Plant in Tennessee and marked the moment with a celebration.

The Japanese automaker has built nearly 800,000 Maxima sedans in Smyrna since the first U.S.-assembled Maxima rolled off the assembly line in January 2003. More than 60,000 of these were shipped to markets worldwide.

The new Maxima is one of six models currently built at the Smyrna plant and shares the assembly line with the Altima midsize sedan and the all-electric Nissan Leaf. The plant also builds the Rogue crossover, Pathfinder SUV and Infiniti QX60 luxury crossover.

Maxima’s new 300hp 3.5-liter, VQ-series V6 engine is also assembled in Tennessee, at Nissan’s Decherd Powertrain Plant.

The eighth generation Maxima features a bold exterior design, redesigned interior and a range of safety, security and driving aids, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning, Forward Emergency Braking, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Blind Spot Warning.

It is also equipped with Nissan’s new Driver Attention Alert system, which alerts the driver when drowsy or inattentive driving is detected. The 2016 Maxima will be available at U.S. Nissan dealerships this summer, with prices starting from $32,410.

The Nissan Smyrna Plant became active in 1983 and now employs more than 8,400 people. Last year, the facility assembled more than 648,000 vehicles, making it the highest-producing automotive assembly plant in North America.

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