Nissan Tops Carbon-Emission Study

[SHIFT_2.5S]

...and no, it's not good news. Yet.

"Over the last 15 years, Nissan's vehicles have seen the largest increase in carbon-emission rates of the six largest sellers of automobiles in the United States, finds a new report. The average lifetime carbon emissions for Nissan's 2005 fleet rose 9.2% from 1990 due to the automaker producing more light trucks with poorer fuel economy.

"Since the end of this report in 2005, we have added the subcompact Nissan Versa, Altima Hybrid and flex-fuel-capable trucks," explained Nissan spokeswoman Jeannine Ginivan. She continued by saying Nissan "has committed to a comprehensive plan to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and to improve fuel economy."

According to the Detroit Free Press, Toyota was the only automaker of the six that saw a decrease in emissions over the 15 year span, reducing emissions by 3%. DaimlerChrysler's fleet had the second highest emissions increase, rising by 4.8%, followed by Honda's increase of 4.4% and Ford's of 4.3%. GM's average rose 3%.

According to the report, the rising emissions rates are due to the increase in popularity of pick-up trucks, minivans and SUVs over the 15 year period."

http://www.leftlanenews.com/ni....html
http://www.egmcartech.com/2007...sions/

But wait, there's more.



Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., announced its new mid-term environmental action plan, Nissan Green Program 2010 (NGP 2010). This plan is designed to fulfill Nissan’s environmental philosophy of “symbiosis of people, vehicles and nature” and contribute to a sustainable mobile society.

Highlights of Nissan Green Program 2010 include:

Incorporating CO2 reduction as one of the key management performance indicators.

Launch a “three-liter car” with a target of 2010; a gasoline-fueled car that runs 100km on three liters of fuel.

Expand availability of Flexible Fuel Vehicles (FFV) within the next three years.

Launch Nissan electric vehicle early in the next decade.

Develop Nissan’s original hybrid vehicle targeted for launch in FY2010.

Accelerate development of plug-in hybrid technology.

Reduce CO2 emissions from global manufacturing plants by 7% compared to 2005 by 2010.

More can be read here: http://www.automotoportal.com/...-2010

[TheRupp]

ugh no FFV's! FFV's are bad! They end up using more because they're so inefficient!

I remember that the 3rd gen 3.5 Altima spewed quite a bit of emissions...

[froedrick]

I imagine a lot of the reason Toyota is looking better than the rest is because they've got quite a few "Piouses" out there. Nissan will look better when their Hybrid starts making dents with numbers. That's not likely to happen soon, though, because of their reluctance to sell in all states. Oh, yeah, BTW, my 06 3.5 dumps exhaust that's so clean you can almost breath it.

[katmai]

Yeah they should have separated the cars from the trucks to get a better idea. Obviously the company that sells more trucks is going to be harder hit.

I was talking to some of the employees at my dealer recently, and they were telling me the current hybrid is only temporary from what they got from a corporate meeting. Hence why they used toyotas hybrid system. They didn't want to invest big money for something short term. I was also told all the major manufacturers are planning on releasing diesels in the next few years and nissan will also be part of that group...I believe he said a 09-10 altima will have diesel. The diesels will replace the hybrids and/or be part of the hybrid system once those come out. Thats also why honda hasn't been in a rush to put out its own competitive hybrid. They're planning the same.

Diesel technology is here today. To be mainstream, hybrids still need a lot of work in general.

Video: Top Gear’s Audi A8 Diesel challenge - Auto Insider News

I believe the audi made the challenge...I don't have time to watch it again at the moment. But I remember my jaw drop when I saw how good the mileage was. Kinda puts hybrids to shame in that respect, even the lexus versions ones which I think are one the best.

The nissan green program sounds interesting, but those items they list don't seem like they'd apply to their mainstream cars, at least for america. I don't think they're going to have a 3 liter, plug in, or all electric titan for that matter. I think hybrids will have their place, but not over the next couple years. How long have hybrids been out, and how many people do you personally know that own one?

[MD3.5SE]

Yeah diesel is definitely where its going. I saw on Motorweek that the 2010 Maxima is going to be diesel also