In the race to produce green vehicles, Nissan is lagging behind its fellow Japanese firms Honda and Toyota. These two car companies are already enjoying success in the United States auto market in terms of the sale of their hybrid vehicles. The Toyota Prius is a strong seller as well as the Honda Civic Hybrid.

For Nissan though, they are concentrating on producing vehicles equipped with the CVT or the continuously variable transmission. The use of the said gear box reduces the amount of fuel consumed by vehicles equipped with it. This means that greenhouse gas is also reduced. While Nissan’s use of the CVT protects the environment in its own way, car buyers are looking at hybrid vehicles as the better choice.

In response to this, Nissan is set to enter the fray of car manufacturers producing hybrid cars. In order to develop a green car that can be serious competition for the Prius and the Civic hybrid, Nissan built a technology center where developments of hybrid technology will be carried out. The new facility recently opened is located in Atsugi - a city in the Kanagawa Prefecture in Japan. At this facility, Nissan is developing lithium-ion batteries which will be used on the production of a hybrid vehicle.

Currently, hybrid vehicles uses nickel-metal hydride battery packs. The lithium-ion batteries being developed by Nissan for automotive application is considered a better choice since it weighs less and packs more power. Some of the tests being carried out by technicians at the said facility is rattling the batteries to simulate driving. They are also being tested under extreme temperature. This is to make sure that they will not malfunction during cold winter drives or will not explode when the vehicle gets too hot.

The development of the batteries is a step toward the mass production of Nissan green vehicles which is seen as a way to bring the company closer to Honda and Toyota in terms of sales.

Present at the opening of the technology center is Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn. “Whether products with technology that appeals to consumers can be offered in a timely manner will determine the winners and the losers,” Ghosn said during the opening ceremonies. While the company has the resources to invest in the tech center, they are still hampered by their near-collapse during the previous decade. The company’s current CEO is given much if not all of the credit for turning around the company to what it is now today. Last year though, the company suffered its first setback since Ghosn took the reins.

The year 2006 also saw Honda overtaking Nissan to become the second largest Japanese car manufacturer. The reason for Nissan’s poor year is the lack of auto models in their lineup. They have also been criticized for not producing hybrid cars. While the company is being wrongfully accused of that since their CVT reduces greenhouse gas emissions, they have remained resilient by setting a goal of selling a large number of Nissan vehicles equipped with CVT. Aside from the CVT, Nissan also uses Nissan EGR valves to reduce the amount of nitrogen dioxide emissions.

At the opening of the new facility, Ghosn reiterated that they are not seeking to add a new member to the Nissan-Renault alliance. “We’re not talking with anybody,” he said. “I don’t think it’s the right timing today.” He said that while it is speculated that Nissan should partner with more car companies aside from Renault so that it can gain more technological advances, they will not be looking to do that since Nissan is developing its new technology. The new facility is concrete evidence that Nissan can develop technology on its own.

While it is apparent that Nissan is taking steps to gain ground against Toyota and Honda, experts in the industry said that Nissan will be fighting a hard battle although it most certainly will not be a losing one. This is because Honda and Toyota are fueled by their competitiveness that they are constantly outdoing the other in terms of developing new automotive technologies. Toyota is known for its leadership in hybrid technology while Honda has the first U.S. government approved fuel-cell vehicle. For Nissan’s part, not only will they be producing more hybrid vehicles but they have also announced that they will be producing a diesel powered vehicle for the United States auto market.

The popularity of diesel engines in Europe and the fact the Renault is based in France means that Toyota will be able to seek the help of their alliance partner in developing the diesel-powered Nissan Maxima which is set to be released in 2010.



By: RyanThomas

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The auto industry has seen some of the coolest looking vehicles in the form of concept cars. These vehicles are not only made to catch the attention of auto enthusiasts but also show the direction that a company is going in terms of design, features, and performance. These vehicles are often found on motor shows where they can be viewed by car enthusiasts.

Nissan is one company which has taken inspiration from other industries and fused them with their concept vehicles. While these vehicles may not be available to the public, it is evidence that Nissan can design and manufacture such advanced cars. Two of their most notable concept vehicles are inspired by the Xbox 360 and Adidas. The Xbox 360 inspired concept vehicle is the Nissan Urge while the Adidas-inspired one is named the Nissan Note.

The Urge is a roadster which according to Nissan is “motorcycle-inspired”. This futuristic vehicle combines futuristic driving and realistic gaming. This is because the Urge concept can be used to play “Project Gotham Racing 3”. The concept car is the result of the partnership between Microsoft and the Nissan Design America Inc. The Nissan Urge truly combines gaming with driving since a person can play PGR 3 using the steering wheel, accelerator, and brake pedals of the vehicle. This is made possible by the hard work put into the design and construction of the vehicle by Nissan designers and Microsoft engineers.

The vehicle is equipped with the “Xbox 360™ next-generation video game and entertainment system from Microsoft” according to Nissan. The player can use the controls of the car while viewing the action through the 7-inch LCD screen that doubles as a rear view mirror when the car is used for actual driving.

This concept gaming car was unveiled at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. While this particular car is years away from production, it shows how car manufacturers are tuned to the ongoing trend among the new generation of car buyers. If this car is fitted with the same powerful engine used in the Nissan Z car and all its components such as Nissan distributor caps, spark plugs, and the like, one can experience an exhilarating driving experience both in the virtual and the real world.

The impact of the younger generation on the future design of Nissan vehicles is explained by Bruce Campbell, the Vice-President of Nissan Design America. “Nissan conducted an Internet survey of 2,000 eco boomers, a majority of which said technology and gaming are among the most important attributes in their first car,” Campbell said. “Xbox 360 offered the latest in technology and was already a favorite among this audience,” he added. According to the company: “A Nissan URGE driver can, for example, maneuver through the streets of New York, park the car and fire up the Xbox 360, then virtually race through the same streets using the same steering wheel, gas pedal and brake pedal - blurring fantasy and reality in a way that the automotive world has never before seen.”

Another Nissan concept vehicle is based on the mini MPV produced by Nissan for the Japanese and European market - the Nissan Note. The concept vehicle is inspired by German sports apparel manufacturer Adidas. The decision to design a vehicle inspired by Nissan is aimed to catch the attention of the younger generation of car buyers. The current fashion tend being sportswear like those created by Adidas, Nissan developed a vehicle that will embody the same traits that Adidas products posses.

One of the most notable characteristic of these products is the color that is why Nissan created the Adidas inspired Note with youth-oriented colors. To make the concept Note standout, Nissan designed “wearable” items for the vehicle. Of these, the seats are the most notable since consumers have the power to change the covers to match their preference or mood. Aside from this, materials used on sportswear like rubber are used on the vehicle’s interior.

While the Adidas inspired Note and the Urge Concept are just what they are, concept cars, their development shows what Nissan is capable of. Whether they will be mass produced is another story. But for those who love gaming, individuality and driving, there is reason to hope for a brighter future in terms of automobile development.



By: RyanThomas

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The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is now ready to take on the coming year. It has already set out a list of vehicles that it would be setting off in the auto market. And the whole Nissan line up of vehicles is sure quite something to look through. With auto parts for a Nissan vehicle quite plenty in the market, interested parties need not worry about any replacement parts or Nissan accessories if they are going to purchase a Nissan car, truck, or SUV for their own.

For 2007, the Nissan line of vehicles includes the new Nissan Versa. Aside from this, you would find other Nissan vehicles like the Nissan Altima and Sentra in the line up. You can also find the Nissan Maxima, and Quest in the list.

The Nissan Altima would be available for 2007 and this time around, it would already be in its fourth generation. The 2007 Nissan Altima has been redesigned and it comes available with the new Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission, or CVT. This would also be having a new and restyled platform for better and improved body rigidity.

Entering the sixth generation, the 2007 Nissan Maxima would now be sporting off a restyled exterior. As per its interior, you can most certainly find it very refined. A pack of high technology made for the next generation has also been added in the vehicle. What makes the 2007 Nissan Maxima quite different this year is that it is much more sporty and luxurious at the same time.

As per the Nissan Sentra of 2007, this car offers style along with quality, and optimum performance. Owners would most surely find an abundance of space with this vehicle. Sure enough, Nissan has made certain that this popular car from the company would remain to be one of the topnotch choices of consumers in the auto market.

These are just a few of the vehicles that Nissan has to offer for 2007. The list of 2007 Nissan vehicles include the 2007 Nissan Versa which has been created so as to set standards and not compromise the features that it has with the norms of the auto world. You also can find the Nissan Quest, the Titan King Cab, Titan Crew Cab, Nissan Armada, Frontier King Cab, Frontier Crew Cab, the Pathfinder, the Xterra, Murano, and the 350Z coupe and roadster included in the list.



By: Joe Thompson

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