Nissan Altima Hybrid

[conan]

Apr. 23, 2006: A Skeptic Readies His Hybrid: The 2007 Nissan Altima
Nissan last week released preliminary details about the 2007 Altima Hybrid, due to go on sale in the US early in 2007. The hybrid is based on the just-released redesigned 2007 Altima that goes on sale in the fall of 2006.

The Altima Hybrid powertrain combines the Altima's entry-level 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with an electric motor and generator that combined delivers the acceleration of a V6, increases fuel economy and maintains low tailpipe emissions.

Nissan formed a technical partnership with Toyota Motor Corporation, which will provide some hybrid powertrain components for the Altima Hybrid.

The Altima Hybrid will be sold in only eight states. The vehicle has been certified to meet California emissions requirements and will be sold beginning in early 2007 in those states that have adopted the California emissions regulations: California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey. These states also are among the strongest markets for hybrid vehicles.

Ironically, the announcement about the initial 8-state sales territory came less than two weeks after Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn said in an interview in New York that it wasn't feasible to offer such vehicles in only parts of the US. "When you offer a product, you have to offer it globally," he said.

Nissan may be hedging the introduction, but Ghosn is not about to miss a business opportunity. Nissan has stated that it has the capacity to manufacture up to 50,000 hybrids in the US--much more than the expected demand in the 8 states. Ghosn may be a skeptic, but he doesn't want to be caught short.

Carlos Ghosn is NOT a stupid man, neither is Nissan Motor Corporation.

[villanova_7th]

Way to go Ghosn !