My Perfect Automobile » Nissan

Nissan Leaf is Top IIHS Safety Choice

Larry Bell — Thu, 09 May 2013 23:36:25 +0000

2013 Nissan Leaf

Nissan Motor Co. has achieved the auto safety hat trick, with three of its vehicles netting the prestigious Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick” designation for 2013. The all-electric Nissan Leaf, the Nissan Altima, and the Infiniti M37/M56 all scored high enough on the IIHS crash tests to earn the safety accolade. Infiniti is the luxury division of Nissan. The company’s proprietary “zone body construction,” according to Nissan’s director of product safety, Robert Yakushi, can “…help protect occupants in a wide variety of crash scenarios.”

IIHS Testing: Video

The above video clip provides an intriguing look at exactly how the IIHS tests vehicles and how it creates real-life crash conditions in its facility. The institute’s president walks through the details in the lab, showing how IIHS has come up with a new, more relevant, test for head-on collisions. While the video is fun to watch, keep in mind that this is serious science, and the effort goes a long way toward keeping drivers safer. The IIHS has contributed significantly to the reduction in highway crashes and related injuries.

Nissan Leaf and IIHS

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is an Arlington, Va.-based non-profit that came into being in 1959. The organization is funded by car insurance companies and has set as its mission the reduction of vehicle accidents as well as associated injuries and property damage. The IIHS performs testing and publishes safety ratings for all types of motor vehicles and equipment.

The IIHS makes an annual Top Safety Pick, or picks, based upon how well the test vehicles do in a variety of crash simulations. In order to receive the designation, a car must get good marks in a number of challenging crash tests. The institute publishes a complete history of the safety picks on its website.

For more about Nissan and the IIHS, see their official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.iihs.org

Larry Bell

Larry Bell + is My Perfect Automobile’s Genius Author, but we call him ‘The Expert‘. Here is his full Blog: My Perfect Automobile. Larry lives in San Jose, CA and is also the Expert Author. Larry is a lover of the Automobile as well and shares a passion for Concept, Hybrid and Electric Cars…

EV Car Sales: Second-Generation Volt by 2016

Larry Bell — Mon, 06 May 2013 12:36:19 +0000

EV Car Sales (Pictured: Chevy Volt)

Amid a flurry of plug-in car sales announcements late last week, GM CEO Dan Akerson said Chevrolet Volt would unveil a second-generation model not later than 2016. The Chevy Volt, Nissan’s all-electric Leaf, and the Tesla Model S electric sedan all jockeyed for top sales spot in April. While Volt’s sales were down compared to April 2012, the model did manage a 3 percent increase for the first four months of 2013, compared to the same period last year. April marked the second month in a row that Volt was slightly outsold by the Nissan Leaf, as Tesla Motors appears to have beaten both those cars in the monthly sales derby.

EV Car Sales: Video

The video clip above contains the sort of footage that electric car enthusiasts live for, a Formula-E burnout on the streets of L.A. It is all quite legal of course, as the demo was under the auspices of city officials there to promote alternative fuels. Notice the odd lack of noise compared to combustion car burnouts, where decibel levels are almost deafening. Some hardcore-racing fans claim a race is not a race without noise. Formula-E followers, on the other hand, love the hum and rev of the smooth-running electric motor. The good news is, you still get the burnout.

EV Car Sales

Tesla Motors does not reveal monthly sales data, but analysts estimate that the luxury electric sedan topped the much less expensive Volt and Leaf in April sales. As gasoline prices have leveled off, one company official at Chevrolet noted that competition between GM’s Chevy Volt, Nissan’s Leaf and Tesla’s Model S will become more competitive. Volt ruled the roost for a number of months, but now that Nissan has gone into full domestic production with its Leaf, and cut its price by $6,000, the battle of the plug-ins is getting underway. For its part, Tesla Motors expects to sell 20,000 Model S cars by the end of 2013.

For more about the carmakers mentioned above, see their official websites:
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.teslamotors.com

Larry Bell

Tesla Vs. Volt Vs. Leaf: The Winner is…

Larry Bell — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 13:49:27 +0000

Tesla Model S, interior

The statistics read like a football game update. At the end of the first quarter, in a three-way contest, Tesla Motors has pulled ahead of its two rivals, Chevy and Nissan, by a score of 4,750 to 4,421, to 3,695. In the automotive world, that news is no less surprising. Electric carmaker Tesla will post sales of 4,750 Model S vehicles for the first quarter of 2013, a period in which GM has sold 4,421 Chevy Volts and Nissan Motor Co. of Japan has posted sales of 3,695 for its all-electric Leaf automobile. What makes the data even more unusual is the fact that the cars feature wildly differing base prices. The Leaf costs $28,000, while Tesla’s luxury electric sedan goes for $69,000 and Chevy’s hybrid-electric Volt carries a sticker of $39,000.

Tesla, Volt, Leaf: Video

Hybrid and electric car enthusiasts have no doubt seen dozens of videos featuring the Chevy Volt. Chances are this has not been one of them. It is, however, proof that the car has become so popular even dogs are choosing it as their favorite. Kidding aside, the fellow in the clip, and his clever pets, are the owners of a shiny new Volt. This is simply a record of their first-ever ride in the car, along with a few still shots of the canines enjoying some all-electric errand running courtesy of their private chauffeur.

Tesla Sales

Some analysts consider the newly released sales data relatively unimportant, given that Tesla, Chevrolet and Nissan sell to such diverse demographics. The Leaf is trying to carve out a niche for itself as an affordable, budget-minded EV. Tesla’s much higher price tag is not a magnet for those buyers, while the Volt sits squarely between the two extremes. Chevy’s groundbreaking Volt is well within reach of many car buyers after federal and state tax credits.

For more about Tesla Motors, Chevrolet, and Nissan Motor Co., see their official corporate websites:
http://www.teslamotors.com
http://www.chevrolet.com
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

Hottest Concepts at Shanghai Show

Larry Bell — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 12:35:43 +0000

Shanghai auto show (pictured: Venucia ViWa electric concept car)

The Shanghai Auto Show is in full swing and already has made headlines with its vast array of concept vehicles inside the gigantic, 17-auditorium facility. Besides the show-stealing Buick Riviera wireless plug-in concept car (see this site’s main page for a full article on the new Buick), at least a half-dozen other sleek, hot concept vehicles are getting the attention of international media outlets. Nissan’s Friend-Me concept car is perhaps the most unusual looking of the bunch, while the Acura SUV-X marks the first time Acura has debuted a car outside the U.S.

Shanghai Cars: Video

For a fascinating look at the Shanghai show direct from the floor of the event, see the newscast coverage in the video clip above. Several industry experts agree that the Shanghai show could easily become the largest such expo in the world. As the Chinese auto market continues to grow rapidly, so does the nation’s appetite for exhibitions, trade meetings, and car shows. Already, according to a Japanese official who offers his opinion, the Chinese show is at least twice as large as its Tokyo counterpart, one of Asia’s premier vehicle showcases. This is the first year that Shanghai will fill all 17 halls of the exhibition center. The city alternates with Beijing as host, which means that 2014’s extravaganza will be heading to one of the world’s largest cities for more surprise unveilings, concept car revelations, and everything car-related.

Shanghai Auto Show

Honda’s Concept M minivan is made for the Chinese market only, much like the amazingly sporty Ford Escort concept car that looks nothing like the old U.S. version of that car. The Shanghai Auto Show runs through April 29 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center.

For further information about Nissan Motor Co., see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.nissanusa.com
For more about Dongfeng Motor Corp., see the company’s official English language website:
http://www.dfmc.com.cn/dfmczg/main_en.aspx
For the official website of the Shanghai Auto Show, see the event’s site at:
http://www.autoshanghai.org/En/Index.aspx

Larry Bell

Best Mileage? Unexpected Champs

Larry Bell — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 12:54:32 +0000

Honda Fit

A recent review by Consumer Reports reveals that when it comes to fuel efficiency in cars, smaller does not always equal better. The study looked at non-hybrid, non-diesel cars. In many cases, sedans deliver better mpg and lower operating cost, over a five-year period, than small cars. In fact, both Nissan’s Altima and the Honda Accord get about the same mpg as the diminutive Toyota Yaris. All come in at, or slightly better than, 30 mpg. Honda’s base model Fit offers 30/39 mpg but the best “5-year cost per mile” of any car CR analyzed. The little Japanese model notched a 45-cents-per-mile cost for the period.

Best Mileage: Video

For more details about one of the key competitors on the Consumer Reports list, see the no-frills review of the 2013 Honda Fit, above. The car gets high owner satisfaction ratings for its large backseat, great visibility, easy-to-use controls, and enormous cargo space. While the base model is truly a bare-bones subcompact, most consumers who buy the car are looking for economy and utility, which Fit delivers in a big way. The base model offers a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder engine and rates 28/35 mpg.

Loaded with extras, especially compared to other base level subs, Honda’s little star has iPod input, side-curtain airbags, traction control and stability control. Except for the introduction of the EV version, there were no changes to Fit for 2013. Owners give the small car high marks for reliability and economy, which is exactly how Honda has positioned it in the market.

Best Mileage

Several non-intuitive reasons come into play when calculating mileage numbers. For one, larger cars have better aerodynamics than compacts and tend to feature more fuel-saving technology like hybrid-drive systems. Throw in the fact that bigger cars tend to be safer and you have one more reason for drivers to favor sedans over smaller models.

For more about the cars mentioned in this article, see the carmakers’ official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.toyota.com
http://www.honda.com

Larry Bell

Nissan Concept ‘Friend-ME’ to Debut at Shanghai

Larry Bell — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 23:07:32 +0000

Nissan concept ‘Friend-ME’ ready for Shanghai show

Nissan’s Friend-ME concept car will debut at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show. It features advanced information-sharing capability, high-tech design, and body styling that is said to be unique. The Shanghai event has grown to become one of the largest auto expositions in Asia. The show alternates between Beijing and Shanghai each year, and has already carved out a reputation as a must-attend event for transportation professionals. So far, Nissan has released only partial images of the car’s exterior. The vehicle’s name is a nod to social media jargon popular among China’s young generation of drivers.

Nissan Concept: Video

The Nissan Leaf commercials made Aggie the polar bear famous. In fact, the commercial spawned a fad for using the chic animals to advertise everything from cars to cola. Now, have a look behind the scenes of the groundbreaking commercial that started it all, the Leaf ad that featured Aggie the bear. Surprisingly, most of the shots were one-takes because Aggie is an old pro at TV production, having acted in numerous film projects. The narrator discusses the few scenes that used digitized images for the sake of the animal’s safety and well-being. In the end, Nissan created one of the most memorable advertisements of the decade.

For more about Nissan, see the Japanese carmaker’s official U.S. website:

http://www.nissanusa.com

The following link is also part of the Nissan site, but focuses on the company’s concept and future vehicles, like the NV200 “Taxi of Tomorrow,” as well as the TeRRA SUV concept. Many of the concept models are only seen at auto shows and in special media presentations. A short list of the intriguing lineup of Nissan concept vehicles you can see at their website includes the URGE, Azeal, the Bevel, the Forum minivan, an electric Cube called Denki Cube, Ellure, Hi-Cross, and a high-performance version of the Leaf, called ESFLOW.
http://www.nissanusa.com/future-and-concept-vehicles/?next=header.exp.future_concept.link

Larry Bell

Infiniti QX60 Hybrid’s NY Debut

Larry Bell — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:28:19 +0000

Infiniti QX60 hybrid crossover

Infiniti’s QX60 crossover hybrid was unveiled at the New York Auto Show this week. The seven-passenger vehicle features a 15 kW electric motor, a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine and a lithium battery pack. The hybrid crossover is designed in such a way that it offers the same amount of interior and storage space as its non-hybrid cousin. Torque and horsepower differences between the hybrid and combustion models are negligible, with the gasoline vehicle coming out on top by just five pound-feet and 15 horses overall. The hybrid’s specs stand at 250 horsepower and 243 lb-ft or torque.

Infiniti QX60 Hybrid: Video

For a thorough vetting of the QX60 hybrid, see the video clip above. A continuously variable transmission plus a choice of all-wheel or front-wheel drive will be offered on the QX60. Infiniti has not announced specific pricing data but did say that the new hybrid would likely carry a sticker of approximately $45,000, which is $3,000 more than the combustion model. Infiniti is a subsidiary of Nissan, and has produced high-end automobiles since 1989.

Infiniti

Infiniti’s Emerg-e hybrid concept car is another product of the Japanese automaker, having wowed crowds at auto shows and special events since its creation. The hybrid plug-in has a 30-mile electric range before the combustion engine begins to recharge the battery pack. With the ability to reach 60 mph in just four seconds, the sporty hybrid was first shown to the world at the Geneva Motor Show last year. Breaking from the traditional mold of hybrid design, the Emerg-e features a pair of electric motors, one for each rear wheel. Infiniti officials say the car might never land in showrooms but as a prototype is bound to influence various other models that roll off the Japanese carmaker’s line.

For more about Infiniti vehicles, see the company’s official U.S. website:
http://www.infinitiusa.com/

Larry Bell

Nissan Leaf Offer: Owners Get $1000 Credit

Larry Bell — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 20:43:54 +0000

Nissan Leaf

Nissan Motor Co. announced this week that it would offer Leaf owners a $1,000 credit toward the purchase of any Nissan vehicle. The loyalty discount is good for any member of a household in which one member owns a Leaf electric car. Having already knocked $6,400 off the base price of the Leaf, Nissan appears to be raising the stakes even higher in hopes of outselling competitors and drawing positive attention to the world’s first mass-marketed electric car. Leaf’s current base price is $28,800. The company showed a 13 percent sales increase for Leaf compared to 2012 data for the same period.

Nissan Leaf: Video

The video clip above shows the highlights of Nissan’s media presentation at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, which runs through March 17. Nissan’s senior vice president of sales and marketing as well as the company’s executive vice president rattled off some of the Japanese automaker’s recent key achievements. In the last four years, Nissan has increased its global market share by 50 percent. “Innovation that excites,” is Nissan’s newest catch phrase, and the company is certainly living up to it in the European market, where the brand will introduce 15 fresh models over the next three years.

The superlatives were flying fast and furious as Nissan executives announced the Note, with its unique safety shield, and the new Leaf electric car, whose 2013 edition features over 100 technological improvements. The Leaf, which the company admits had a rocky beginning, now recharges in less time, costs several thousand dollars less, boasts more on-board technology, and has beefed up its range to about 124 miles per charge. Finally, the company spokesperson points out that in Europe alone, Nissan dealers who sell Leaf numbered 200 last year, but are now over 1,400 strong.

For more about Nissan, see the company’s official corporate website, listed below.
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

Used and New Car Prices Surprise Experts

Larry Bell — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:59:31 +0000

New car prices (pictured: Tesla Model S)

Used car prices are going up, according to the Wall Street Journal, and the primary reason has to do with scarcity. Experts have noted that prices of three-year-old used cars are very close to asking prices for new models. New car prices are surprisingly low, or at least at parity with, used car prices. Economists point out the importance of this trend by alluding to the size of the used car market, which grew by 5 percent last year, and which dwarfs the number of new cars sold in any given year. While new car prices continue to rise a bit as time goes by, quality used vehicles are keeping up.

New Car Prices: Video

The Nissan Leaf is one of the few vehicles not following the statistical trend for other new car prices, the company having announced a $6,000 price cut in the upcoming model year. One of the latest moves by the company involved production of its electric cars on U.S. soil. The short video clip above shows the Nissan plant in Smyrna, Tenn., as it begins assembling the 2013 models.

Batteries and motors are also made at the Tennessee facility. New car prices typically go up to keep pace with inflation, but Nissan has not only reduced the Leaf’s price, but has added advanced technology, a faster charger, and new colors to the lineup. Localization of the production process has also benefited the community, and the company’s versatile assembly processes allow for quick response to consumer demands. New car prices usually do not decrease from year to year, but Nissan is proving to be the exception to that rule, at least in the case of this year’s Leaf electric car.

For more about two of the carmakers mentioned in this article, see their official corporate websites:
http://www.teslamotors.com
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell

EV, Hybrid Car Sales Up for Feb.

Larry Bell — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 16:02:32 +0000

Car sales (pictured: Ford Fusion Energi)

Partly due to rising gasoline prices, U.S. sales of plug-in hybrid and electric cars rose in February. Nissan and GM both reported improved sales numbers for their alternative-fuel offerings. Nissan’s Leaf EV showed a 36 percent sales increase compared to the same month in 2012, while GM said its Volt sales data are a full 60 percent better than last year’s numbers. Month-to-month car sales are considered a reliable indicator of brand popularity. Ford has not yet released car sales data for February.

Ford Car Sales: Video

For those who have any lingering doubts about Ford Motor Co.’s commitment to succeed in the area of alternative fuel vehicles, spend two minutes with Ford Canada’s president and CEO Dianne Craig, as she gives the overall view of her company’s place in the 2013 automotive marketplace. She notes that Ford is the only automaker with the ability to react quickly to consumer demand, whether it is for more hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles, or other fuel-efficient powertrains. Ford’s Fusion, she notes, is the only mid-sized sedan in the world that is available in five separate powertrain varieties. Ford has always paid close attention to its corporate and fleet sales, and the new offerings for those customers include a wide array of cargo and delivery vans. Craig’s summary of Ford’s current position in the global marketplace is informative and upbeat.

Car Sales

Nissan Motor Co. sold 10,000 Leaf electric cars last year, with about half of those car sales coming in the final quarter of 2012. For its part, GM’s Chevy Volt car sales data also showed significant improvement compared to January statistics. Whether Nissan and GM will see better sales for the Volt and Leaf during all of 2013 is an open question.

For more about Nissan, Chevrolet, and Ford vehicles, see the official websites below:
http://www.nissanusa.com
http://www.chevrolet.com/volt
http://www.ford.com

Larry Bell

Nissan EV Race Car Ready for Le Mans

Larry Bell — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 04:48:36 +0000

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

Nissan Motor Company’s President and CEO, Carlos Ghosn, announced this week that the Japanese automaker would enter an electric race car in the 2014 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans event. Ghosn pointed out that the Nissan entry will, “… act as a high-speed test bed in the harshest of environments for both our road car and race car electric vehicle technology.”

Nissan EV: Video

Nissan is not the only game in town when it comes to the super-charged world of electric racing. The Drayson 850 horsepower electric Formula E race car recently did live testing at the Rockingham track in the UK. In the short clip below, which begins with a highly informative chat with Lord Drayson himself, we see the B12/69 Hyper EV doing some test runs on the circuit. For anyone who ever doubted that electric cars possessed the power to compete at the top levels of the sport, this film clip will silence those claims. The point about wireless charging is the most astounding of all, because if the process becomes efficient enough, then the race cars would not even have to leave the track to replenish batteries. As EV racing fans are fond of saying, “This is the future of the sport.”

Nissan EV Race Car

Nissan Motorsports suffered a setback in the 2012 Le Mans event when its car was forced off the track in a disappointing conclusion to its racing season. How Nissan will supply electric power for a race car over a 24-hour period is anyone’s guess, as it has not been done before. Some speculate that the team will use wireless charging or a modified battery-swapping system.

For more about Nissan vehicles, see the company’s official corporate website:
http://www.nissanusa.com

For racing enthusiasts, Nissan has created a separate site for Nissan Motorsports, which includes a complete list of upcoming races, a direct link Nissan’s official You Tube channel, and a fascinating look at the history of Nissan Motorsports.

www.nissanusa.com/performance/

Larry Bell

Nissan Mobility Concept Takes to the Streets

Larry Bell — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 13:30:22 +0000

Nissan’s ‘New Mobility Concept’ EV

Nissan has begun trials of its New Mobility Concept EV on the streets of Yokohama, Japan. Legally a quadricycle rather than a car, the 2-seater has a maximum speed of 50 mph and a range of 60 miles per charge. The company is targeting 2015 as the launch year for what it officially calls the NMC, which stands for New Mobility Concept.

Nissan Mobility Concept: Video

For a fascinating examination of Nissan’s experiment with the small, efficient Mobility Concept EV, view the video link above. Nissan is taking plenty of time making certain that the EV has both infrastructure and public acceptance before officially rolling it out to the public. For now, just a handful of Japanese volunteers will use the cars and report back to the company via surveys and electronic data boxes. As noted by one of the company’s spokespersons in the video, by 2015 Nissan expects to have accumulated enough data to launch the car. In addition, by that time Japan’s EV infrastructure will be much more developed than it is now.

Mobility Concept joins the Leaf as the automaker’s main forays into all-electric transportation. In fact, the Twizy-based Mobility Concept has the chance to become a staple of Japanese roads within the next several years. The diminutive EV is ideal for urban lifestyles and short commutes in congested places like Tokyo and neighboring Yokohama, where the trial is taking place.

Nissan Mobility Concept EV

Renault makes the Twizy EV, which is currently Europe’s top-selling electric vehicle. The Twizy Urban 80 model, which is the identical twin to Nissan’s NMC, carries a sticker price of approximately $10,100 at current exchange rates. If the NMC ever ends up in U.S. showrooms, federal pricing incentives would bring the effective price tag to about $6,800 for U.S. residents.

For more about Nissan’s vehicles, see the Japanese automaker’s official corporate website:
http://www.nissanusa.com

Larry Bell