Ghosn Says Nissan will Sell Record Number of Leaf EVs in the US this June

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The battle for sales supremacy in the eco-friendly segment between Nissan’s pure electric Leaf and GM’s extended range Chevrolet Volt is really heating up lately, with the two models separated by only 17 cars in U.S. sales figures so far this year.

And while GM is betting on the introduction of a slightly lower priced base model as well as the extended availability of the Volt in all 50 states to win this battle, Nissan is counting on increasing output to ease customer delays after production was disrupted by the Japan’s earthquake and tsunami on March 11.

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Post Title → Ghosn Says Nissan will Sell Record Number of Leaf EVs in the US this June

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Nissan Leaf vs Chevrolet Volt: Who will Win the Sales Battle?

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Even though the new Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt are two very different cars when it comes to details, they do have a common denominator: they are the most technologically advanced eco-friendly vehicles that are mass-produced and readily available in the U.S. market. That said, it’s interesting to see how they’re doing in sales this year.

Believe it or not, it’s a fierce neck-to-neck sales battle so far in 2011 with only 17 cars separating the Leaf from the Volt. Nissan has delivered 2,184 examples of the pure-electric Leaf from January to the end of May, while GM has sold 2,167 units of Chevrolet’s extended range electric vehicle in the same period.

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Post Title → Nissan Leaf vs Chevrolet Volt: Who will Win the Sales Battle?

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Nissan Pays Top Execs Twice as Much as Toyota and Honda

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Toyota’s executives must be green with envy once they hear the salaries of their counterparts in Nissan. That is because, Nissan’s top directors were paid more than twice as much for the fiscal year that ended last March than their equals at Toyota, according to a report from Bloomberg. And this despite the fact that Toyota is Japan’s biggest car manufacturer and Nissan is number two.

In a statement that Nissan issued before its annual meeting on June 29, average salary, including bonuses, for 14 executives was 126 million yen, or $ 1.6 million. In comparison, Toyota paid its 38 directors and auditors an average of about 41 million yen per executive.

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Post Title → Nissan Pays Top Execs Twice as Much as Toyota and Honda

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Shhh….Nissan’s Radical Leaf Nismo RC Coupe Racecar Filmed on the Track

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If there is one thing we don’t like about electric sports cars (we emphasize ‘sports’) in general, it is the lack of engine sounds, you know, the banging thunder of a brawny V8 or the symphony of a finely tuned straight six. Sure EVs may be just as fast as any gasoline-powered model but when it comes to aural pleasure, you might as well be listening to your electric shaver…

Take a look at the following video of the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC racer, which was filmed during a test session, after the break and you’ll see what we mean. And if you disagree, feel free to voice your opinion in the comments section.

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Post Title → Shhh….Nissan’s Radical Leaf Nismo RC Coupe Racecar Filmed on the Track

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BMW Takes Top Spot Among Automakers and 4th Overall in New Study for the World’s Most Reputable Companies

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A recently released study by research-based consulting firm Reputation Institute, found that BMW is considered the world’s most reputable company in the automotive sector and fourth overall behind Google, Apple and the Walt Disney Company. German automakers in general performed well in the study with Daimler, owner of Mercedes-Benz, Maybach and Smart, ranking 7th overall, while Volkswagen finished in 10th place, followed by Honda (29), Toyota (60), Nissan (61) and Suzuki (63). Read more »

Post Title → BMW Takes Top Spot Among Automakers and 4th Overall in New Study for the World’s Most Reputable Companies

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Nissan to Design, Engineer and Build Next Qashqai in Britain

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The second generation of Nissan’s big-selling in Europe Qashqai crossover will be designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Japanese automaker’s CEO Carols Ghosn announced today during a meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron. Nissan said it will spend £192 million (US$315 million or €215 million) for the new Qashqai, safeguarding 6,000 jobs, both direct and indirect through the UK supply chain. Read more »

Post Title → Nissan to Design, Engineer and Build Next Qashqai in Britain

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Japan’s Impul Tricks Out the New Nissan Juke

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It doesn't even come close to being the prettiest model out in the market, but Nissan’s Juke sure ain’t boring. Now, Impul, one of Japan’s lesser-known tuning firms has set their eyes on improving Nissan’s small crossover with the release of a new performance and styling package.

The cosmetic makeover begins with a full aero kit comprising of a new front spoiler, side skirts or optionally side steps, a rear diffuser and a giant rear wing. The company’s aesthetic offerings also include a redesigned front grille, profile decals and exterior mirror trims.

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Post Title → Japan’s Impul Tricks Out the New Nissan Juke

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Nissan GT-R Power Bump, Spec R Version

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Staying οn tοp demands constant imprοvement, and Nissan has certainly proven itself up tο the task with the current R35-generatiοn GT-R. Since its dοmestic introduction in 2007 and glοbal roll-οut in 2009, Nissan has launched successive improvements οn its flagship sportscar, and nοw word is coming οf another upgrade οn the way.

According tο the fοlks at 7Tune, output frοm the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 is set tο increase from 530 hοrsepower up tο 560. And tο supersede the current Spec V mοdel, a Spec R is said tο be in the works, drοpping another 70 pοunds οr so fοr even more extreme perfοrmance.

Develοpment οf the new GT-R has reportedly been postponed in the wake οf the quake fallout in Japan, pushing the car's launch back by several mοnths. These are expected tο be the final iterations οf the R35 before its successοr arrives.

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Post Title → Nissan GT-R Power Bump, Spec R Version

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Toyota Sales Plunge More than 33% in May, Chrysler Group up by 10%

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The numbers for U.S. auto sales for the month of May are out and as expected, Japanese automakers continue to be hit hard by the ongoing production disruptions caused by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in their home market. As a result, Toyota’s sales plunged 33.4% over the year-ago month to 108,387 units, while rivaling Honda saw its sales fall 22.5% to 90,773 vehicles, Nissan recorded a 9.1% drop to 76,148 units and Mazda 17,875 vehicles, down 20.9%.

General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 221,192 vehicles in May posting a decline of 1%, while the Ford Motor Co. said its sales decreased by 0.1% to 192,253 cars, trucks and SUVs.

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Post Title → Toyota Sales Plunge More than 33% in May, Chrysler Group up by 10%

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Nissan Offers Three Years of Free Service for 2011MY GT-R in the UK

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Pit stops for new owners of the 2011 GT-R in the United Kingdom will become a far more enjoyable chore as Nissan is offering a three-year servicing plan, along with three years RAC cover. The Japanese automaker said the free service plan is offered to those purchasing a 2011MY GT-R through Nissan’s own personal contract plan (PCP) known as Preferences. Buyers that opt to finance their car in any other way as well as current owners of the 2011MY GT-R, are offered the option to purchase the servicing plan for £499 (equal to US$899 or €567). Read more »

Post Title → Nissan Offers Three Years of Free Service for 2011MY GT-R in the UK

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Nissan Leaf Commercial Mocks the Chevy Volt for Using Gasoline

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Electric carmakers are trying hard to promote their products, with the environmentally friendly nature of these vehicles being their most exploited feature in advertising. Nissan is going down the same path with a new campaign for the fully-electric Leaf entitled “Gas Powered Everything”, in which the company mocks the internal combustion engine by imagining a strange world where all appliances run on gas.

The result is a funny commercial in which people have to put up with gas-powered alarm-clocks, microwave ovens, computers and many more appliances. Even the Chevrolet Volt becomes a subject of joke for being a gas-electric hybrid. But we can't help but wonder: isn't Nissan's approach a little hypocritical? It's not like their range includes electric cars alone...

The full 60-second commercial will make its television debut during the NBA Finals on June 12. Scroll down to watch it and feel free to drop us a comment.

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Post Title → Nissan Leaf Commercial Mocks the Chevy Volt for Using Gasoline

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New Nissan Leaf Commercial Mocks the Chevy Volt for Using Gasoline

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Electric carmakers are trying hard to promote their products, with the environmentally friendly nature of these vehicles being their most exploited feature in advertising. Nissan is going down the same path with a new campaign for the fully-electric Leaf entitled “Gas Powered Everything”, in which the company mocks the internal combustion engine by imagining a strange world where all appliances run on gas.

The result is a funny commercial in which people have to put up with gas-powered alarm-clocks, microwave ovens, computers and many more appliances. Even the Chevrolet Volt becomes a subject of joke for being a gas-electric hybrid. But we can't help but wonder: isn't Nissan's approach a little hypocritical? It's not like their range includes electric cars alone...

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Post Title → New Nissan Leaf Commercial Mocks the Chevy Volt for Using Gasoline

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Red Bull Racing To Tap Nissan`s Battery Tech Experts

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Battery tech experts οver at Nissan will be tapped tο boost the performance οf vehicles fielded by the wοrld champion F1 Red Bull Racing team, accοrding tο What Car? Having recently signed a two-year spοnsorship deal with Infiniti, Red Bull is nοw seeking a cοllaborative agreement οn technical projects with Japanese autοmaker Nissan. According tο reports, members οf Red Bull Racing have already met with persοnnel at Nissan's UK technical center and will RBR engineers will soon gο tο Nissan's research and development facility in Japan.

Wοrd is that the Red Bull Racing team has struggled tο make its KERS system work and will likely turn tο Nissan for assistance with the perfοrmance-boosting setup. It's alsο believed that Nissan, with its extensive lithium-iοn battery know-hοw, may assist with developing a mοre powerful pack fοr the Red Bull Racing team.

Red Bull F1 bοss, Christian Horner, tοld What Car? that:

Our budget intο battery technology is minuscule cοmpared with Nissan's and they are working οn developments a lοng way in advance οf what's commercially available today. Hοpefully, they can help us, and then we can help them by effectively testing their prototypes in extreme cοnditiοns.

Sο, it looks like it's a twο-way deal, with Nissan gaining valuable time testing its prοtοtype vehicles.

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Post Title → Red Bull Racing To Tap Nissan`s Battery Tech Experts

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Renault’s Dacia Duster “No Limit” Racer gets 850HP V6 Sourced from the Nissan GT-R!

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Following an early reveal on racing driver Jean-Philippe Dayraut's website, Renault today released official photos of its PikesPeak contender, the 850HP Dacia Duster “No Limit”. The name comes from the “Unlimited” class of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, which imposes no restrictions on the size or power output of the engine, maximum power or torque. In addition, there are no restrictions concerning the transmission or the aerodynamic characteristics. Looking at the size of the Duster's rear wing, it is obvious the car competes in the “Unlimited” class.

The one-off prototype was built by Tork Engineering (which handled the design, production, assembly and development) and Sodemo (engine), in association with Renault Sport Technologies, which supplied certain components.

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Post Title → Renault’s Dacia Duster “No Limit” Racer gets 850HP V6 Sourced from the Nissan GT-R!

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Nissan Leaf Becomes the first EV to Receive a 5-Star Euro NCAP Rating

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After awarding the Mitsubishi i-MiEV with a four-star rating, Euro NCAP, which is the European equivalent of the American IIHS, crash tested its second all-electric model, the Nissan Leaf. The Japanese hatchback achieved a five-star rating, becoming the first electric vehicle to do so. Read more »

Post Title → Nissan Leaf Becomes the first EV to Receive a 5-Star Euro NCAP Rating

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SPIED: Nissan Testing New 2012 Sunny / Versa Sedan in Europe

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Our spy photographers have captured a lightly camouflaged prototype of the freshly revealed in the USA and China, Nissan Versa / Sunny series, during testing in Sierra Nevada, Spain. The prototype was a right-hand drive example with test license plates from Spain.

Aside from the odd-looking exhaust tail pipe that extends all the way to the outer corner of the rear bumper and possibly the headlamp and tail lamp designs, we didn’t notice any other styling differences compared to the North American Versa and the China market Sunny models.

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Post Title → SPIED: Nissan Testing New 2012 Sunny / Versa Sedan in Europe

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Hyundai Set to Become Sixth Biggest Automaker in the U.S. In 2011

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In the realm of U.S. automotive sales, 8% is a magic number. When an automaker hits 8%, they know they’ve become one of the big guns. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, Dodge and Nissan have all made it, and 2011 is expected to be Hyundai’s year.

So sayeth market research firm Polk, and I’m tempted to agree. Hyundai and its partner-brand / internal rival Kia have steadily been evolving into truly world-class carmakers. They’re keenly priced, inoffensive to look at and comprehensively covered quality-wise – everything the vast majority of new car buyers want in this day and age.

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Post Title → Hyundai Set to Become Sixth Biggest Automaker in the U.S. In 2011

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New Nissan 370Z GT Edition Launches in Britain

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Following its European presentation in March, Nissan has announced the UK introduction of the new 2011 370Z GT Edition, which is available for order now with first deliveries expected during the first week of June. The new GT model is based on the European market 2011 370Z adding bespoke styling and equipment features to the mix. Read more »

Post Title → New Nissan 370Z GT Edition Launches in Britain

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Top Gear vs. Electric Cars Part Two: Nissan Leaf Runs of out Electric Juice…

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Lately, it seems that pushing an out-of-juice electric car is quickly becoming a trademark of Britain’s popular Top Gear TV series. After the Tesla Motors row, it seems another EV will be featured in the show while being pushed. This time it's the Nissan Leaf, whose batteries ran dry while being driven by Jeremy Clarkson.

Fortunately, one of the many witnesses of the event caught Clarkson and James May trying to find an outlet to plug for the Leaf on camera. The two TV hosts were filming a test drive with the Nissan Leaf and the Peugeot iOn for the next episode of the show. After looking for outlets in the park, the crew eventually plugged the Leaf in at the UK's University of Lincoln.

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Post Title → Top Gear vs. Electric Cars Part Two: Nissan Leaf Runs of out Electric Juice…

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Toyota Overtakes BMW as World's Most Valuable Brand

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The BrandZ Top 100 annual study revealed that Toyota is once again the world's most valuable auto brand, after losing the position last year to BMW due to the massive recall campaign. Toyota saw an 11 percent increase in its brand value, which is now rated at $24.2 billion (€16.85 billion). The research company Millward Brown, whose global brand director said Toyota’s recall had not affected consumers’ confidence in the carmaker, compiled the ranking. Read more »

Post Title → Toyota Overtakes BMW as World's Most Valuable Brand

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