Nissan aims to lead in zero-emission vehicles

Nissan Motor Co. said it aims to become an industry leader in zero-emission vehicles and to cultivate emerging markets with low-cost cars. The automaker also plans to increase overall sales by 5% annually in the next five business years to March 2013, Nissan Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn told a news conference in Tokyo. The planned electric vehicles (EVs) will use lithium-ion batteries to be produced by 2009 by a joint venture between Nissan and electronics maker NEC Corp. Nissan, Renault SA of France and Bajaj Auto Ltd. of India said they will form a joint venture to develop, produce and market cars priced as low as US$2,500. A day after announcing a low-cost US$2500 car in partnership with Bajaj, Nissan has chalked out plans to also go solo and introduce an entry-level car in India by early 2010. “Nissan will compete in the entry-car with a dedicated platform that will be used for at least three models built in five leading competitive countries (LCCs), the first of which will be produced in Thailand and India in early 2010,” Carlos Ghosn, president and CEO of Nissan, said. While it is investing Rs4500 crore (US$1.06 billion) for a facility in Chennai along with parent Renault, the company will launch light commercial vehicles in partnership with Ashok Leyland and the Nano rival ultra low-cost car with Bajaj. (May 14, 2008)