The plant in Canton, Mississippi in an effort to protect some 12,000 cars worth about $400m, has set up an automated "hail cannon." Theoretically, the system prevents hail over an approximately 1-mile radius by vibrating water droplets in the air that form hail, disrupting the hail-forming process. While there's no scientific evidence that it prevents hail, people at the plant insist that it works. What really has the ire of the community however, is the 50dB blast (about the same noise level as a highway) of each shot, sometimes continously. Nissan has addressed the latter issue, at least.

The 2005 model year brought three significant product introductions: the all-new Pathfinder, Frontier and Xterra – each featuring a new platform, 4.0-liter V6 engine (newly designed for 2005), advanced off-road systems and roomier interiors. With every truck and SUV either all-new or completely redesigned within the past 18 months, Nissan has the newest, most advanced lineup of trucks and SUVs of any major automaker. For the 2006 model year, Nissan continues to refine its lineup.

Nissan Design America Redesigns Studio and unveils Nissan-designed Airstream Trailer.

BUSINESS WIRE -- July 15, 2005. How do Nissan designers celebrate 25 years in North America? Simple - they redesign their La Jolla, California facility. With an entirely redesigned studio space, Nissan Design America (NDA) is preparing for its next 25 years of design leadership. Today, NDA opens the doors to its La Jolla operation, showing off the newly redesigned studios and unveiling the BaseCamp, Airstream's newest lightweight, aluminum-based trailer designed by Nissan.

NISMO, which stands for Nissan Motorsports International, continues to expand both its lineup of parts and its sales in the United States. Originally founded in Japan in 1984, NISMO has established itself as the premier supplier of high-performance aftermarket parts and accessories for Nissan vehicles. A wholly owned subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., NISMO also supports Nissan racers with parts and technical assistance.

SMYRNA, Tenn. (Aug. 2, 2005) – Nissan North America’s Smyrna Plant produced its seven-millionth vehicle today – an all-new Aztec Red Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE.

The plant’s initial milestone unit was also a truck: Job One was a white 1983 Nissan Pickup.

http://www.nissannews.com/corporate/news/current/20050803101145.shtml

A Kentucky family returning home from vacation driving their GMC Yukon down I-64 in VA were the target of gunfire from a North Carolina Xterra driver. The Xterra was blue or dark-colored and police have issued a bulletin. Apaprently the Yukon honked at the Xterra, provoking this exchange. While the Yukon was hit, the passengers were okay.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/dp-55076sy0jul23,0,2295866.story