August 3rd, 2009

Nissan has unveiled its new electric car model, which it claims will be the first vehicle to crack the mass market.
The five-door hatchback called Leaf will be on sale in the US and Japan by the end of next year and in the UK and Europe by 2012.

It is expected to launch a big marketing push behind the vehicle, but details are not known at this stage.

Electric Car, Innovation, Nissan

July 20th, 2009

Car manufacturers are racing to create more eco-friendly cars, with Nissan the latest to announce plans to build a new generation of electric cars.

The Japanese carmaker says the new models will be produced in its Wearside factory and is expected to create around 200 new jobs.

The £380m initiative will be aided in part by government grants and by the European Investment Bank.

Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, is planning to visit the North East plant and outline his vision of creating a “green revolution in the region” which will include a research and development centre and technology park.

The news closely follows Toyota and Honda’s announcement that they would build new hybrid models.

Toyota confirmed last week that its new Auris hybrid would be built in the UK from the middle of next year, while Honda has said that it plans to produce the first hybrid sports car.

Earlier this year the Government announced that it would allocate £2.3bn to support the UK’s struggling car industry.

Meanwhile, Nissan in Europe recently revealed a new marketing strategy that encompasses its three small cars, including the new low-cost model Pixo, in one collective campaign.

The “Welcome to Simplicity” campaign has been developed with the aim of promoting the overall category under one communication strategy.

Eco Friendly Cars, Hybrid Cars, Nissan