Nissan not too keen on producing hybrids
Nissan targets to reduce dioxide emissions by 70% by 2050, but is not interested in producing hybrid or electric cars for the mean time. Nissan will instead focus on improvements through technology advancements
The company’s general manager of product planning and strategy, Chris Lee, revealed that the immediate emphasis was on improving engine efficiency, reducing friction and examining new technology, rather than rushing out “green-powered” cars.
Even if the company is exploring green alternatives like hybrid, biofuel and electric power, Lee said the economics of developing such cars meant they are not on the agenda for the Japanese car maker at the moment.
“Electric or hybrid cars are not returning the investment costs yet, so it is not a route to pursue for us,” said Lee.
Among Nissan’s initiatives are an engine capable of traveling 100km on three liters of fuel, which it says will be ready by 2010, and developing CVT gearbox technology, which it says is already 10% more efficient than a standard automatic gearbox.
Vice-president of design Nissan Europe, Alfonso Albaisa, also underlined the challenge of styling as green issues come to dominate the car-buying agenda. While noting the features of other hybrids such as Toyota’s Prius, he said that Nissan was unlikely to follow their quirky look.
Albaisa also said, “’Nissan is a company that thinks with its head rather than its heart, so engineering will always come first - do not expect that to change. Nor will our expression of green concepts ever dominate the car.”