The Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., one of the successful Japanese automakers in the global arena, is increasingly proving its potentials. The maker of the VQ engines, which was included in the Ward's 10 Best Engines for 12 straight years, is delving into another remarkable commitment. This time, it is strengthening its commitment to help save the environment through its Nissan Green Program 2010.
The Nissan Green Program 2010 is the automaker's vision of its commitments to all aspects of environmental management. The program is aimed at responding to immediate challenges and creating the foundation for a long-term, sustainable business model.
Nissan is among the top three Asian automakers of the Big Three in the United States. And to compete more closely to Detroit's Big Three, Nissan is also focusing on the reduction of CO2 emissions. The automaker has embraced a multi-pronged philosophy of product development. Nissan's philosophy covers the formulation and production of auto technologies and product lines to promote clean environment.
The automaker is meticulously planning in order to have the right auto technologies at the right time and market. The technologies will be used to help sustain cleaner environment with lesser harmful emissions.
At this year's New York Auto Show, the automaker introduced an engine that incorporates the variable valve event and lift (VEL) system. The system is capable of limiting CO2 emissions by around ten percent. The VEL system is as efficient as the refined . According to Nissan, the first vehicle to offer this technology in North America will be an Infiniti.
Nissan has also developed clean diesel engines for North America to achieve the United States Tier2 BIN5 emissions standards. It will also unleash clean diesel vehicles in the United States from the 2010 fiscal year. By far, the automaker's current gasoline engines are designed to run on a blend of up to ten percent bio-ethanol (E10). In 2005, Nissan has introduced the Titan FFV (E85). And this year, the automaker will be offering the Armada FFV (E85) in the US. The automaker plans to expand the E85 lineup to other Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in the post-Nissan Value-Up period.
In regard hybrids, Nissan launched the 2007 Altima Hybrid in February. The Altima Hybrid is Nissan's first entry in the hybrid electric vehicle market. With more muscle per gallon than its rivals, it is the first hybrid to "drive like a Nissan." It also features responsive handling, smooth acceleration, and seamless delivery of power under varying driving conditions. The automaker is planning to introduce a vehicle powered by a Nissan-developed hybrid system in the U.S. by 2010.
Nissan is accelerating development of plug-in hybrid technologies that can utilize grid power to recharge batteries in addition to the onboard charging system. Aside from hybrids, the automaker is also concentrating on the manufacture of vehicles that run on fuel cell and electricity.
