Nissan Shifts Gears with Green Program 2010 Environmental Strategy

Nissan Motor Co., Japan's second-largest automaker, has made a significant U-turn in its approach to hybrid vehicles, introducing its Green Program 2010 medium-term environmental technology strategy. The new plan aims to tap into the growing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles, particularly in the U.S. market, where competitors Toyota and Honda have enjoyed significant success. With the goal of launching a hybrid car developed in-house, Nissan plans to engineer a vehicle that meets U.S. emissions regulations, considered the toughest in the world, and also sell it in Japan, the U.S., and China.

Key Takeaways:

• Nissan's Green Program 2010 aims to launch a hybrid car developed in-house in the U.S. and Japan, shifting its stance on the viability of hybrid vehicles.
• The plan replaces the Green Program 2005 introduced in 2002, marking a significant change in strategy for the automaker.
• Nissan intends to engineer the vehicle to meet U.S. emissions regulations and sell it in Japan, the U.S., and China.
• The company seeks to make engines more fuel-efficient through advanced fuel injection technology and next-generation turbos, slashing gas consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by roughly 20 per cent by fiscal year 2010.
• Nissan plans to develop a car capable of running 100km on three liters of gas using highly efficient CVTs, which would be the most fuel-efficient car in the world if achieved.
• In 2007, Nissan is slated to introduce a hybrid version of its popular Altima sedan in the U.S., developed with Toyota technology.
• The new strategy marks an about-face for Nissan, which had been skeptical about the viability of hybrid vehicles until now.

Statistics:

• 20% reduction in gas consumption and carbon dioxide emissions aimed by fiscal year 2010
• 100km on 3 liters of gas goal for new hybrid car if using highly efficient CVTs
• 2007: Nissan to introduce hybrid version of Altima sedan in the U.S. developed with Toyota technology
• Nissan to sell hybrid car in Japan, the U.S., and China

Sources:

• "Nikkei" (no date provided)
• Nissan Motor Co. (no date provided, as per original text)