Nissan Electrifies Seven More States with Its Leaf
All-Electric Vehicle to Become Available Nationwide in March
RAYNHAM, Mass., Dec. 12, 2011 - It is rare to see leaves pop up in the dead of winter, but the Nissan Leaf will be showing off its colors at more dealerships as cold weather sets in. The availability of Nissan's all-electric vehicle is currently expanding to seven new states, allowing more customers to get behind the wheel of the only all-electric mass-market car available in the United States.
The Leaf, which was already available at dealers in 23 states, including Massachusetts Nissan dealerships, is expanding this month into the neighboring New England state of Rhode Island, as well as Delaware, Indiana, Louisiana, Nevada, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Nissan fans in all 50 states will be able to get their hands on a Leaf when it becomes available nationwide in March 2012.
"Our customers have been wowed by the Leaf since it first arrived in Massachusetts, and we're excited that drivers in new states will have a chance to own one of the most innovative vehicles on the road," said Jason Ferreira, general sales manager of Raynham, Massachusetts Nissan dealership Mastria Nissan. "Of course, the main advantage to owning a Leaf is that you never have to pay for gasoline, but when customers learn how easy they are to charge, it usually seals the deal. Nissan is also working to make its charging technology even more intuitive in the future."
Future Leafs may come with Nissan's first non-contact charging station, though the automaker has not yet confirmed the technology for production. Non-contact charging would allow owners to charge their car by simply parking it over a mat-like charging station. The technology works through magnetic induction, with an electrically charged coil in the charging station creating a magnetic field and supplying power to a second coil within the Leaf. The same charging technology is commonly found in household appliances like electric shavers and toothbrushes, although Nissan would be applying it on a larger scale.
Nissan's new charging stations would further streamline the Leaf's current charging process, which is simple but not yet wireless. Leafs available today charge with a 240-volt home charging station or through a standard 120-volt home outlet with a "trickle charge." It takes a Leaf approximately seven hours to fully charge at 220 volts, while a 480-volt quick-charging station will be offered to public locations next year to charge the Leaf within 30 minutes.
Since its debut in December 2010, more than 20,000 units of the Nissan Leaf have been sold worldwide. The automaker is on pace to have sold more than 10,000 Leafs in the United States by the end of the year, which aligns with Nissan's earlier predictions.
"The Leaf has successfully avoided any significant disruptions from the Japan earthquake last March, and it is quickly winning over those that were doubtful about electric vehicles," added Ferreira. "With added innovations like quick-charging and non-contact charging stations, the Leaf will be even more accessible for drivers in the future. I'm sure that current Leaf owners would encourage others not to wait though."
New Unibody Pathfinder Concept Features Streamlined Styling
Nissan Previews Fourth Generation of SUV in Detroit
RAYNHAM, Mass., Jan. 16, 2012 - Some concept vehicles never see the light of day after their auto show debuts, but the next-generation Nissan Pathfinder Concept is closer to fact than fiction. Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit last week, the automaker's concept SUV gave fans a preview of forthcoming fourth-generation Pathfinder, slated to go on sale in production form at Nissan dealerships this fall.
Although Nissan has upgraded the Pathfinder's exterior styling and powertrain, the most notable change to the SUV lies at its core. The new Nissan Pathfinder Concept features a unibody platform, marking a return to the second-generation Pathfinder's lighter configuration. With a change in chassis and an updated drivetrain, Nissan expects a 25-percent increase in combined city and highway fuel economy compared with the current V6-equipped Pathfinder.
"Unibody and body-on-frame constructions each have their pros and cons, and Nissan has experimented with both on the Pathfinder," said Jason Ferreira, general sales manager of Raynham, Massachusetts Nissan dealership Mastria Nissan. "Along with making the new Pathfinder lighter and more fuel efficient, the new unibody construction gives designers the leeway to create a strong presence throughout the interior and exterior styling."
Unibody construction platforms generally allow designers to change the exterior of a vehicle without affecting the dimensions of the interior, and vice versa. Because of this, Nissan claims that 2013 Pathfinder buyers will gain more flexibility in regards to interior options. The change has also allowed the automaker to make the new Pathfinder Concept more aerodynamic, and thus more fuel efficient, without cutting into passengers' headspace or cargo room.
The aerodynamically enhanced exterior of the Pathfinder offers an upscale presence thanks to its low beltline, large fenders, wide stance and thinner A- and D-pillars. Adding to the SUV's aerodynamics are new front and rear spoilers, rear-tire deflectors and rear-suspension fairings. Meanwhile, sleeker headlights, a wide chrome grille and chrome door handles add more luxury touches to the concept SUV, as a panoramic dual-panel moonroof maintains the Pathfinder's visual connection to the outdoors.
Under the hood, the Nissan concept SUV houses a new V6 engine and a next-generation continuously variable transmission expected to help the next Pathfinder reach its improved fuel-efficiency mark. Even with that improved gas mileage, Nissan still expects the SUV to have towing capacity that is competitive with leaders in the segment.
Nissan is currently holding its #Path2Pathfinder contest on its Facebook page, inviting fans to share the new feature on the Pathfinder Concept that excites them the most. Seven randomly drawn winners will receive a $500 gift certificate to outdoor gear and clothing supplier REI after the promotion ends on January 13. Entrants must respond with the #Path2Pathfinder hashtag on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube after following directions at https://www.facebook.com/Nissan?sk=app_249175185131573 .
"Nissan has always kept the needs of its customers at the forefront while refining the Pathfinder over the course of 27 years," added Ferreira. "The updates shown in Detroit were based on customer feedback, and now Nissan is listening to its customers online before putting the finishing touches on another generation of Pathfinders."
Japanese Automaker Has Best-Ever October in United States RAYNHAM, Mass., Nov. 14, 2011 - While some Japanese automakers have seen sales take a dive this year, Nissan is on an upward stroke, posting its strongest October sales ever in the United States. Powered by its popular Altima midsize sedan and the refreshed Versa sub-compact that arrived at Nissan dealerships in August, Nissan has flourished as its competition has floundered.
Nissan's October sales were up 22.1 percent compared to the same month last year, led by the 2012 Nissan Altima, which saw a 15.1 percent increase with 21,838 units sold. The 2012 Nissan Versa was a big winner last month as well, selling 8,889 units, an increase of 47.1 percent compared to the same month last year. As the most affordable car on the U.S. market, the redesigned Versa is proving popular with Nissan fans looking for fuel efficiency and practicality.
"Nissan has hit the right notes with the Versa," said Jason Ferreira, general sales manager of Massachusetts Nissan dealership Mastria Nissan. "It's small on the outside, but surprisingly roomy on the inside, which makes it feel more like a midsize than a sub-compact. That space, in addition to its great fuel economy, have made the new Versa so popular with our customers."
Capable of returning 38 mpg on the highway when equipped with its continuously-variable automatic transmission, the Versa achieves its impressive fuel economy with the help of a new dual injector system in its reworked 1.6 liter engine. Adding to that fuel efficiency is a ride height that is one inch lower than the previous Versa model, helping the 2012 Versa save fuel through improved aerodynamics.
Available as a sedan and hatchback, the Versa can hold a surprising amount of people and cargo. In fact, the Versa has more rear leg space than the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus LS 460, which gives it a leg up with those looking for a more economic family runabout. Trunk space in the Versa sedan is also deceivingly plentiful, with its almost 15 cubic-feet of room able to fit a week's worth of groceries or luggage for a vacation on the Cape.
"The Versa is sized right for urban adventurers who don't want to spend all their money at the gas pump," Ferreira noted. "It's great for college students, young professionals or people who just need a small, affordable car that they can rely on for many years to come."
The Versa isn't the only small Nissan selling well in America, as the Nissan Sentra also had big gains in October. With 8,384 units sold, the Sentra saw a 41.4 percent increase compared to October of 2010, hinting that Nissan may have the small-car market figured out.