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  • It pays to be a Nissan director, four times more to be exact!

    In International News, Nissan / By / / 18 comments

    While nowhere near as bad as top officials in government owned companies paying themselves big bonuses based on “projected earnings”, the business community was still surprised to hear that Nissan Motor Co will pay its directors almost four times more than their counterparts in Toyota and three times more than Honda directors for the fiscal year that ended in March.

    Nissan wants to pay its 12 directors including CEO Carlos Ghosn an average of 141 million yen ($1.5 million). Toyota on the other hand aims to pay an average of 37.5 million yen to its 38 directors, while Honda will pay its 21 directors an average of 48.3 million yen. However, Nissan’s net income in the fiscal year was 42.4 billion yen, compared with 209.5 billion yen at Toyota and 268.4 billion at Honda.

    Not included in those figures are stock options that the 38 directors from Toyota will be getting. However, this will only add up to 593 million yen, which is an average of 15.6 million yen per director. Honda bosses are also set to get a 15 million yen average bonus. All three companies will seek approval for the pay plans at their respective shareholder meetings later this month.

    Analysts say that Nissan’s high remuneration package could be due to a number of factors, one of them being the Yokohama based carmaker’s rapid recovery from a loss a year earlier. Compared to its rivals, Nissan also has a more international corporate culture thanks to its alliance with Renault, according to Satoru Takada of TIW Inc.

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  • Nissan Leaf fully booked six months before sales start

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Nissan / By / / 30 comments

    Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn has confirmed that the Nissan Leaf is doing extremely well. The US market’s allotment has been fully reserved, six months before the electric vehicle goes on sale. It has to be said though, that buyers can reserve these cars at a refundable fee of only $99.

    Nissan has received 13,000 reservations from American customers. In the US, the Leaf costs $32,780, with Government incentives bringing it down to $25,280. In Japan, Nissan has received 6,000 reservations for the Leaf. Pre-orders for Europe start in July.

    Ghosn has been very bullish about the sale of EVs, saying that they will comprise of 10% of all car sales within a decade. Nissan, with its Alliance partner Renault, expect to build 500,000 electric vehicles by 2012.

    Over in our part of the world, we’ll have to ‘wait and see’ on the relevance and the practicality of electric cars. The lack of charging facilities in many countries don’t help EV introduction. But a market like the US is an indication of the promise of the Leaf has, very much like how they warmly embraced the Prius on a big scale before any other market.

     

  • Hertz to add Nissan Leaf electric car to its rental fleet

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Nissan / By / / 5 comments

    Want to drive and experience the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle? It may not be as impossible as you think, as you will be able to do so on your next holiday to Europe or America. Rental car company Hertz is adding the Leaf to its rental fleets in the US and Europe beginning early 2011, shortly after the car’s debut later this year. The volume and rental price hasn’t been set though, according to company spokeswoman Paula Rivera.

    Hertz has 2,100 outlets in the US, and California should be getting the early Leafs. “Realistically, we look at high-demand location – where the consumer base is asking for them. When we introduced the Toyota Prius, California was one of the hot locations, and we’re anticipating something similar with the Leaf,” Rivera added. The Golden State is also subsidising the Leaf with a $5,000 cash rebate. Demand is expected from those who want to sample the car before purchase.

    The Leaf will also be available at some Connect by Hertz car-sharing locations. Hertz introduced the Connect program in 2008, and it now has operations in London, Paris, Madrid and Berlin.

    Billed as the world’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car, the Leaf is powered by an 80kW electric motor. It has a real world range of 160 km and charges to 80% capacity in under 30 minutes. Top speed is “more than 140 km/h”, so this is not a strictly city bound car. Click here for more images and videos of the Leaf.

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  • Nissan and GE signed agreement to develop charging stations for electric vehicles

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Nissan / By / / 11 comments

    Nissan and General Electric or GE have both signed an agreement that will see the companies work together in developing charging stations for electric vehicles. Both companies will focus on ‘smart’ charging stations that will help ease strain on electric power grids and provide better accessibility to recharging.

    “Together with Nissan, we will take a comprehensive look at what technologies will be needed in the car, on the grid, and at home or work to make smart charging a reality,” said Mark Little, director of GE Global Research. Both companies will soon reveal specific projects under the new partnership.

    Electric vehicles can be a good solution for emissions-free and fuel-free motoring but the major problem for now is infrastructure where owners may find it hard to recharge their cars especially during long distance trips. The other problem is that no one can give a straight answer regarding the life span of a pure electric drivetrain, especially the batteries.

     

  • VIDEO: Shell’s “Crystal Clear” Nissan 370Z

    In Cars, Nissan / By / / 54 comments

    Shell commissioned JWT and award winning director Ivan Bird to produce their latest Shell Helix TV commercial – “Crystal Car”. You can watch it above. They basically reproduced an entire Nissan 370Z (why not a Ferrari?) accurate to the smallest details, only made of high grade Perspex acrylic, thus letting you see through the car and every single component. The whole idea is to pour the lubricant in and let you see how it works its way through the engine, coating the pistons, crank, combustion chamber and other parts of the engine.

    Look after the jump to watch a “Making Of” video.
    Read more ›

     

  • Nissan Navara Calibre 4X2 launched in Malaysia

    In Cars, Local News, Nissan / By / / 24 comments

    A rear wheel drive variant of the Nissan Navara called the Navara Calibre 4X2 has been launched in Malaysia! You get to save some money in purchase price as well as shed the extra weight of the 4X4 system – a smart bet if you want to buy a truck for its power and lifestyle applications but without the 4X4 offroad capabilities. However you will not be getting the same power as the other variants!

    The engine looks the same – a 2.5 litre YD25DDTi common rail injection diesel engine with a variable geometry turbocharger – but the power output is quite different. We are used to the Navara’s massive 174 PS and 403Nm of torque engine output figures, but in this Calibre model the engine only makes 144 PS and 356Nm of torque. I wonder if a simple modification of ECU parameters and/or boost levels will help ‘unleash’ the 174 PS.

    The rest of the Navara Calibre 4X2′s equipment sheet is not simply a version of the 4X4 LE Automatic without the 4X4 system. Its headlamps are halogen instead of Xenon and it does not come with the LE and SE’s Dual SRS front airbags. However unlike the baseline 4WD manual, the Calibre 4X2 has ABS and EBD brakes. Speakers are 4 instead of 6 mated to a single CD player instead of a CD changer. The interior trim is fabric. The overhead console box and passenger A-pillar assist grip has been removed. But the Calibre 4X2 does get the interior silver finish trim of the top of the line LE, something which the SE Manual and Standard Manual doesn’t get.

    The following is the price for all Nissan Navara models including the 4X2 Calibre in Peninsular Malaysia, OTR for private registration:

    • Nissan Navara 2.5 Automatic LE 4×4 – RM105,800
    • Nissan Navara 2.5 Manual SE 4X4 – RM94,800
    • Nissan Navara 2.5 Manual Standard 4X4 – RM89,800
    • Nissan Navara 2.5 Automatic Calibre 4X2 – RM89,900

    Look after the jump for some showroom photos of the Navara Calibre 4X2. It is available in a special Desert Gold colour alongside Supreme Black, Tungsten Silver & Twilight Gray.
    Read more ›

     

  • Renault-Nissan-Daimler cooperation sealed and explained!

    In Cars, International News, Mercedes Benz, Nissan, Renault / By / / 14 comments

    Details of Renault-Nissan’s partnership with Daimler AG have been revealed. The tie-up involves a symbolic stake exchange of 3.1%, which is basically a series of stake exchanges. Daimler will get 3.1% of Renault’s newly issued shares, Daimler will get 3.1% of Nissan shares that Renault current holds, and Renault will get 3.1% of Daimler shares. Renault has agreed to exchange 1.55% of Daimler shares with Nissan for 2% of Nissan shares. Renault and Nissan will each hold 1.55% of Daimler treasury shares.

    The press release issued by the two companies also details exactly what the companies will work together on:

    • The companies will work on the next generation smart fortwo and Renault Twingo platform and engines together and there will be EV versions. These cars will be launched sometime from 2013 onwards. Two seater versions will be made in smart’s plant in France while four-seater versions will be made in Renault’s plant in Slovenia.
    • As per above, Renault-Nissan will provide 3 cylinder and 4 cylinder small engines to Daimler, modified to suit Mercedes-Benz characteristics. Expect the next generation A-Class as well as the smarts to use Renault-Nissan engines..
    • Daimler will supply Nissan’s Infiniti luxury car division with gasoline and diesel inline-4 and V6 engines. This will allow Renault-Nissan to focus on small engine development which make up the bulk of their vehicles.
    • The Mercedes-Benz Vito will get a Renault-Nissan diesel engine and transmission. This could be the inline-4 and the V6 found in the Pathfinder/Navara.
    • The three companies will also collaborate on future petrol and diesel engine.
     

  • Nissan Leaf to be produced in Japan, UK and US

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News, Nissan / By / / 21 comments

    Nissan has released a couple of new videos and photos of the new Nissan Leaf in conjunction with the Leaf’s launch. European market production will begin in 2013 at Nissan’s UK Sunderland plant. The Sunderland plant has received a total investment of over 420 million British Pounds for the production of the Leaf and its batteries. The UK government has given Nissan a business investment grant of 20.7 million British Pounds.

    Two other locations will build the Leaf – Japan and the USA. The Japanese production center will be located at Oppama while the American plant will be in Tennessee. The Oppama plant will start up first later this year followed by the American plant in 2012 and finally the Sunderland plant in 2013.

    Nissan calls the Leaf the world’s first affordable, mass produced zero emission car. It’s basically a 5-seater C-segment 5-door hatchback built on a dedicated EV platform and powered by a 80kW electric motor. With a rapid charger it can get up to 80% battery capacity. Its battery packs will take it up to 160km of ‘real world range’, and top speed isn’t too bad either at just over 140km/h.

    Look after the jump for some photos and videos of the Leaf.
    Read more ›

     

  • Nissan to open design studio in Beijing, China

    In International News, Nissan / By / / 11 comments

    With increasingly saturated domestic markets, the world’s major carmakers are flocking to developing markets such as China and India, where car ownership figures still have plenty of room to grow. It therefore makes sense to have a base in these countries, to design, modify and manufacture cars according to local tastes. GM-SAIC’s PATAC facility on the outskirts of Shanghai is a great example of this – initially a “rebadging centre”, it’s now capable of full vehicle development (Chevrolet Sail) and even concept cars (Buick Business Concept).

    Now, Nissan has announced that it will establish a design studio in Beijing. Scheduled to open early 2011 in the Chao Yang district, it will be the first design facility in China by a Japanese automaker. The studio will be part of Nissan’s global network of design centers, which includes two facilities in Japan (Atsugi and Harajuku), one in America (San Diego) and one in London, UK. Nissan’s Chinese subsidiary will invest RMB 11.76 million (US$ 1.7 million) to set it up.

    “With the addition of 20 designers, Nissan’s new studio will enhance our design capabilities, as well as our product competitiveness in China and Asia where the automotive industry continues to see robust growth,” said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan’s chief creative officer and senior vice president of design.

    “Locating the studio where our customers live and work allows us to best respond to their needs and design vehicles that exceed their expectations.” Nakamura-san also added that the Chinese capital’s expanding design community made it a “natural choice” over rival cities such as Shanghai.

     

  • Hyundai’s top US marketing man jumps to Nissan

    In Hyundai, International News, Nissan / By / / 7 comments

    Nissan North America has “captured” Hyundai America’s top marketing man. Joel Ewanick, who was vice president of marketing at the Korean company, is credited with the effective Hyundai Assurance Program, where Hyundai buys back cars from customers who lose their jobs. While at Hyundai, he earned accolades including Chief Marketing Officer of the Year (2009) from Forbes, Grand Marketer of the Year (2009) from Brandweek and Marketer of the Year (2009) from Advertising Age.

    Ewanick has been named vice president, Marketing, Nissan Division, effective March 22. He succeeds Christian Meunier, whose appointment as president, Nissan Brazil, was announced Feb. 5. In his new role, Ewanick will be responsible for all facets of marketing activities for Nissan brand products in the US, including marketing communications, C&I, pricing and product management.

    Before joining Hyundai, Ewanick held executive positions at the Hinckley Company – Monitor Clipper, Boston; Palmer Johnson LLC in Wisconsin; and Porsche Cars North America in Atlanta. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Northridge.

    To sell well one needs good products, but skilled marketing people can draw in seemingly uninterested people, just like Hyundai did in a troubled 2009 where it was one of only three brands to record growth. Surely, this is a coup for Nissan.

     
 
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