Category Archives: Nissan

Nissan reveals luxury EV

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

Nissan will already have a good lead in the electric vehicle (EV) market if its upcoming car, the Leaf, lives up to expectations. But now the company has revealed its plans for an Infiniti luxury model using EV technology in the form of a new sketch that has been released online.

Although the new Infiniti does not yet have a name, Nissan has already settled on the design of the vehicle, which isn't slated to hit dealerships until 2013. The sketch shows a coupe design with an elongated front end and wide, sloped windows, giving the car a sleek and futuristic look.

"This future EV will play a major part of Infiniti's 'eco performance' strategy that will see a greater focus on hybrid and EV technology," said Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore. "We are committed to applying the world's best technologies to reduce emissions without sacrificing driving excitement or engagement."

The car will seat five and is expected to include zero emissions technology similar to the Leaf.

Infiniti will also reveal the 2012 M35h, an upcoming gas-electric hybrid, at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. The gas engine will produce 302 horsepower, although drivers can opt to run solely on electric energy at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour.
 

Nissan to show off new models at LA Auto Show

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Posted in Nissan

Nissan has announced that it will debut five models, including one from its luxury Infiniti line, at the upcoming LA Auto Show.

According to Automobile Magazine, a production-spec Leaf will be unveiled for the first time. The highly-anticipated electric car has only been shown with unofficial parts that will not be in the final factory order. The car is set for a December release.

The other vehicles are all-new. The Ellure concept car is an aggressively styled four-door coupe designed to compete with upper-echelon vehicles like the Mercedes CLS-Class. Nissan will also show the Quest Minivan, which has only been glimpsed in teaser photos at this point. The last car from the Nissan line is the Murano CrossCabriolet, which Nissan says is the first all-wheel drive crossover convertible in the world, and expected to be an option on the Murano in 2011.

Infiniti meanwhile, is set to debut its M35 hybrid sedan, which the automaker has hyped by saying it will deliver “V-8 performance with four-cylinder fuel economy.”

As brands introduce new models, older ones get pushed to the used car market, where they can be found at a reduced price. Considering the number of changes planned for Nissan in the next few years, drivers may want to consider shopping for a used Nissan the next time they need a car.

Nissan to begin taking Leaf orders

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Posted in Nissan

Nissan has announced that it will begin taking orders for its upcoming all-electric Leaf, a highly-anticipated vehicle that, along with the Chevy Volt, is expected to determine how alternative fuel is accepted by the general public.

While the company has already received 18,000 reservations at the price of a refundable $99, those do nothing more than hold a buyer’s spot for the vehicle. To actually place the order, buyers will need to go through all the options at their dealer, according to Reuters.

One of the options is a $700 “fast charger” that can reportedly bring the vehicle to 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, expected to be popular with drivers.

The Leaf will be rolled out in Arizona, Tennessee, California, Oregon and Washington before expanding to Hawaii and Texas in early 2011 and eventually the entire country by the end of next year.

Buyers who are interested in the all-electric vehicle may want to wait until it hits the used car market, as the current cost of the technology is rather expensive, but may decrease in the next few years.

Nissan, Hyundai battling for No. 2 Asian automaker spot

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Posted in Honda - DO NOT USE, Hyundai, Nissan, Toyota

Nissan’s strong sales combined with Toyota‘s stumbles have allowed the company to make significant progress in terms of surpassing second-place Asian automaker Honda in terms of North American sales, but a huge surge by upstart South Korean brand Hyundai may usurp them both.

According to USA Today, Toyota’s recall issues have led consumers to look elsewhere. While Toyota is still the top brand, many drivers have turned to Nissan rather than Honda when shopping for a new or used car.

Many analysts pegged Nissan to eventually unseat Honda as the number 2 automaker – and that still may happen by year’s end. But others are predicting that the affordable prices of Hyundai, coupled with its cheaper Kia brand, are leading consumers away from Japan’s Big Three in this tough economy – so much so that Hyundai will end up in second place by the time all is said and done.

“Really, Nissan’s biggest threat isn’t Honda,” Ed Kim, chief industry analyst for AutoPacific told the news source. “The one they need to be concerned about is Hyundai.”

Drivers looking for a vehicle should remember to factor used cars into their decision. Although Hyundai’s cars are usually cheaper when bought new, consumers who shop around a bit can likely find a great deal on a used Nissan, Honda or Toyota.

Ford’s Lincoln brand tops customer satisfaction survey

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Posted in Buick- DO NOT USE, Ford, General Auto News, Lincoln, Nissan

As the domestic car brands reinvent their vehicles, consumers are slowly taking notice of improvements. This is evidenced by the results of a new consumer satisfaction survey, which saw domestic brands take the top spots for the first time ever.

Ford‘s Lincoln and GM’s Buick lines took the top two spots in the American Customer Satisfaction Index. GM remained unchanged from the last survey with 88 percent of consumers satisfied, while Lincoln posted a 1 percent increase to take the top spot at 89 percent.

While the results were good news for Detroit’s automakers, the rest of the auto industry was not as lucky. Customer satisfaction scores fell by 2.4 percent on average overall, with fourteen of the nineteen ranked brands declining in satisfaction. While the American brands remained unchanged for the most part, they were able to take the top spot thanks to sharp fall by Toyota‘s previously top-ranked Lexus brand.

“No doubt they’re benefiting from [the recalls], but they’re also doing more things right,” said Claes Fornel, the founder of the index.

Nissan, meanwhile, posted the biggest gain with a 5 percent increase, with an overall satisfaction rating of 82 percent.

Customers in the market for a vehicle may want to heed these or previous results, then shop the used car market in order to get the best deal.

Four hatchbacks that won’t break the bank

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Posted in Ford, Honda - DO NOT USE, Nissan, Toyota

Drivers shopping for a vehicle have many options to consider in deciding on a used car. But with such a wide variety of cars for sale, it’s difficult to choose just one.

One way to narrow down a buyer’s options is to select a particular class or style that’s suitable. Many drivers, for example, won’t be caught dead in anything other than a pickup truck. Others prefer the sleek stylings of two-seaters, or the off-roading capabilities of SUVs.

Hatchbacks are popular with many consumers because of their great fuel economy, low price and surprising amount of cargo and passenger space. For city dwellers, especially in Europe, these cars provide the additional benefit of being easy to maneuver and park.

Top Speed recently profiled four of the most popular hatchbacks, pitting them against each other in order to determine which truly rules the road. The four competitors were the Toyota Yaris, Nissan Versa, Ford Fiesta and Honda Fit.

While the Toyota Yaris was the news sources’ least favorite, the reviewer did admit the car was a great deal, considering it was $2,605 cheaper than the next cheapest hatchback. Drivers could use those savings to upgrade the Yaris with something like the Power Package, which retails for $1,705. The vehicle also has plenty of safety features and was as powerful as any of the other vehicles featured. Although the reviewer didn’t like the driving dynamics, such an experience is often subjective and potential buyers should probably test the car for themselves before making a decision.

Next up was the Nissan Versa. While coming in third place overall, was close to or even surpassed the other vehicles in many areas. The blog writes that Nissan must have used “some sort of engineering voodoo” in order to make the car so roomy. Four people will comfortably fit inside with plenty of leg room and head space, yet the car is no bigger than its competitors. The Versa was also praised for providing a quiet and easy ride. It lost points for power and an overall lack of style.

The Ford Fiesta, in second place overall, was considered the best looking car of the bunch, with one reviewer claiming it looked “like a work of art.” Unfortunately, the sleek design sacrifices some roominess and cargo space on the inside. The Fiesta provided the best ride quality and maneuvering and was the second fastest in the 0 to 60 test. The car can also be equipped with an optional dual-clutch Powershift transmission that significantly upgrades the driving experience – for a price.

While all of the other vehicles had flaws, the Honda Fit took top marks for really having none. The Fit is the classic jack-of-all-trades, good at everything but excelling in nothing. The news source found that it was suitably stylish, powerful, maneuverable and roomy, making it the top choice for a hatchback.

Hatchbacks are already easier on the wallet than many vehicles. Yet by shopping the used car market, drivers can get an even better deal on a great car.

Nissan unveils Infiniti Performance Line

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Infiniti - DO NOT USE, Nissan

While used Nissans and Infinitis can be great buys, drivers may be a bit envious of those lucky enough to ride around in BMWs or Mercedes – especially the performance-oriented models. However, a new initiative from the Japanese automaker will soon see Infiniti debut cars closer to the turbocharged stallions of other fleets.

In recent years, luxury brands have introduced performance lines, like Mercedes’ AMG, BMW‘s M, or Lexus‘ F. These lineups represent racing-inspired vehicles that tout performance and horsepower over a nice interior or sleek design (although they frequently have those as well). Nissan’s Infiniti luxury brand will soon follow suit by debuting the IPL, or Infiniti Performance Line.

The first car out of the IPL will hit showrooms in December in the form of the IPL G Coupe. Based off an Infiniti G37, the car’s 348-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine will be sure to turn a few heads in the high-end class. And if it doesn’t, then the optional red interior might do the trick.

Although these cars can come with hefty price tags, drivers may be able to save off the sticker price by shopping on the used car market.

Enterprise to obtain fleet of rental Leafs

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Nissan

Enterprise and Nissan have struck a deal that will see the Japanese automaker sell 500 of its upcoming Leaf electric vehicle to the rental car company.

According to the Associated Press, Enterprise will initially make the car available to drivers in eight cities: Seattle, Los Angeles, San Diego, Phoenix, Tucson, Knoxville, Nashville and Portland. The car will be available for rent in January, but Enterprise will begin installing charging stations in November.

The Leaf is one of the first electric vehicles to be mass produced. Nissan says that the vehicle will get 100 miles on a full charge of its electric motor. However, the car requires more charging after 100 miles, meaning that drivers could be stranded if they don’t plan carefully. Still, the car should be perfect as an emissions-free rental for those simply driving around a city while on a business trip or vacation.

Enterprise has not yet announced the cost to rent a leaf. The company currently charges a premium for customers who wish to rent a hybrid.

Rental cars are one way in which vehicles eventually find their way to the used car market. Often, these rental cars are kept in top shape and given dealer certification. Buyers interested in purchasing a Leaf may want to wait until the used Nissans begin finding their ways to dealerships and auto auctions.

Battle of the electric cars

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Posted in Auto Industry News, Chevrolet, Nissan

Both GM and Nissan have plans to introduce electric cars by the end of the year, but its unclear which approach car buyers will ultimately favor.

While the Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf are usually mentioned in the same breath, both cars actually have radically different philosophies when it comes to driving.

The Volt is an electric hybrid, with both a 40-mile range electric motor and traditional gas engine. After the motor’s 40 mile limit has been reached, the gas engine kicks in, ensuring that drivers can continue as long as they have gas.

The Leaf, on the other hand, can actually claim to be a purely electric vehicle, and one of the first to be mass marketed. It’s also about $7,000 cheaper than the Volt and offers the attractive possibility of never touching a gas pump again. In addition, its battery pack squeezes out 100 miles of power when fully charged. However, once the charge is gone, that’s it – it needs to be plugged in before it can go again – and charging takes much longer than filling a tank of gas, essentially meaning drivers will be stranded after 100 miles with no charge.

So how should car buyers decide? The best way might be to wait until both cars hit the used car market. By then, consumers will know all the pros and cons and will be able to purchase a used Nissan Leaf or Chevy Volt at a reduced price.

Nissan to recall Cubes

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Posted in Nissan

Nissan is set to recall its Cube compact SUV, after tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) found that more than the allowable amount of fuel could spill in a rear-end collision.

According to the Associated Press, the recall affects 46,000 units of the model, including all of the vehicles sold thus far in North America. Though the car has been around in Japan for years, it just recently debuted in the U.S. last year.

Nissan says that the car did not spill any fuel during the company’s own testing, but has issued a voluntary recall. Drivers who take their car back to the dealer will have a special cap installed in order to prevent excessive fuel leakage.

The Cube, immediately recognizable due to its eye-catching design, has been a popular car for the company on its home turf of Japan. With a wrap-around back window and cubelike design, the car definitely exudes a modern Japanese look.

Those who want a Cube but are looking to avoid the potential fuel problems might want to look at used Nissan Versas, a similar car that is not known to suffer from the issues.