Nissan Begins Filling in the Blanks on the Altima Hybrid; Targeted for Only 8 States
21 April 2006
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| An Altima Hybrid prototype |
Nissan has released very preliminary details about the 2007 Altima Hybrid, due to go on sale in the US in early in 2007. The hybrid is based on the just-released redesigned 2007 Altima that goes on sale in the fall of 2006. (Earlier post).
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 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. (Earlier post.)
The Altima Hybrid will be available in eight states. Nissan CEO Ghosn is skeptical about the validity of the business case for hybrids, and the company will focus its initial sales efforts accordingly.
The vehicle has been certified to meet California emissions requirements and will be sold beginning in early 2007 in those states that have adopted California emissions regulations: California, New York, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, Rhode Island, Maine and New Jersey. These states are among the strongest markets for hybrid vehicles.
The new Altima HEV will be assembled at the Nissan North America Manufacturing Smyrna, Tennessee plant.
Nissan, like Ford, is dealing with Toyota on this. Good move, as it took Toyota 10 years and a gozillion dollars to pull it off. LOVE my Prius, obviously.
Posted by: Bud Johns | 21 April 2006 at 06:00 AM
Mr. Ghosn is a very smart manager who turned around Nissan is is now doing the same for Renault. Neither half of the merged company has sufficiently deep pockets to invest in ground-braking powertrain R&D. Renault has no presence in the US and, Nissan is merely doing the minimum required to meet California ZEV emissions criteria (which also apply in NY, MA, VT and ME).
With the possible exception of Toyota, hybrids are definitely still loss-leaders for carmakers. This may change in the next few years as the technology matures and components come down in price and compete with alternatives such as spray-guided gasoline direct injection.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 21 April 2006 at 06:47 AM
The upshot: it's one more incentive for other states to require California emissions -- they'll have more hybrids for sale in their state.
Maybe Delaware and Maryland are future targets? Also, Oregon and Washington?
Posted by: stomv | 21 April 2006 at 06:57 AM
So the people who build the car won't be allowed to buy it.
Posted by: tom deplume | 21 April 2006 at 09:36 AM
Ford didn't go to Toyota for help on how to design their hybrids, they developed them on their own. Their design was just so similar to Toyota's (because Toyotas is so good) that to avoid any legal hassle Toyota licensed some hybrid patents to Ford IN EXCHANGE FOR FORD LICENSING SOME LARGE TRUCK PATENTS TO TOYOTA!
Posted by: BB | 21 April 2006 at 05:48 PM
Sorry, I did some resurch and you are correct....Ford happened to develop this on thier own, and as it turns out, Toyota had some Diesel things that Ford had developed! Got to hand it to Ford, the way Toyota and Ford do it is the best there is right now. If I were in the market for an SUV, the Escape Hybrid is what I would buy. I drive a Pruis...........
Posted by: Bud Johns | 21 April 2006 at 08:02 PM
I think introducing a hybrid will bring a new and very different psychodemographic market segment to their products who have traditionally only considered Toyota, VW, and Honda over the past 15-20 year in the US.
I think carmakers that initially find a way to boost both economy and performance with hybrid technology (at a reasonable price point) are the ones will lead the market.
Posted by: Lance Funston | 21 April 2006 at 08:08 PM
Rafael:
I totally agree with you that direct injection gasoline is good companion to hybrid drivetrain. Especially with CVT.
And I relly like that Nissan applying hybrid technology not barely for fuel savings, but also to boost performance. I drive Nissan entry level performance coupe, and have an uppermost respect to this company.
Posted by: Andrey | 22 April 2006 at 03:34 AM
Ladies and Gents,
unless the collective automakers decide to fix...not band+aid the problem, then this is what we can expect. Are they not in the bussiness of making money? Our collective resources can be better put to use in diverting research from gas to the "real solution". (see National Geographic 2005 August 'After Oil')
What about diesil/electric...SHIFT-trains...SHIFT-Thinking ... Toxic materials to make the battery components only delay/change the problem.
Nissan SER SpecV owner.
Drive like you don't need to win & race like you can't lose!
Posted by: Jerome Orr | 26 April 2006 at 02:15 PM
With the way battery technology is accelerating recently, it would be nice to see full electric cars on the roads. Many of the electric scooters and push bikes even, they have ample performance.
Posted by: Brake Pipe Nutter | 21 June 2008 at 06:42 PM