| In the past, Nissan's Chief Executive Officer and | | | | installed solar panels in their assembly facility in |
| savior Carlos Ghosn has been very vocal about his | | | | Barcelona, Spain. |
| thoughts concerning hybrid vehicles. According to him, | | | | For now though, the only hybrid in Nissan's lineup is |
| hybrid vehicles are not yet practical when Toyota | | | | the Altima Hybrid and it has a starting price of |
| and Honda came up with hybrid cars. The cost of | | | | $24,400. The hybrid version of the Altima is |
| production of these cars is the reason pointed out by | | | | estimated to cost $3,500 more than the conventional |
| Ghosn why hybrids are not yet practical in the past | | | | Altima. The hybrid version though qualifies for a |
| years. | | | | $2,350 tax credit. With that tax incentive scheme, |
| Recently though, it seems that Ghosn has decided | | | | Altima Hybrid owners are expected to get back their |
| that the time is right for a hybrid car to join their | | | | initial investment within two years in fuel savings. |
| lineup. The Nissan Altima hybrid is the company's first | | | | The Altima Hybrid's powertrain can produce as much |
| outing in the hybrid vehicle market. While it seems | | | | as 198 horsepower. Its internal combustion engine is |
| that Nissan has changed its mind concerning the | | | | a 2.5-liter direct overhead camshaft 16-valve |
| production of hybrid vehicles, one should consider | | | | 4-cylinder engine. This engine produces the 158 hp of |
| that Nissan is still somewhat conservative about the | | | | the total power output of the power train. Providing |
| sale of the Altima Hybrid. This is because Nissan only | | | | the additional hp to the powertrain is a permanent |
| offers the Altima Hybrid to the eight states with the | | | | magnetic AC synchronous electric motor. |
| toughest emission standards. These states are | | | | Since it is a hybrid, it needs an efficient high-power |
| California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New | | | | output battery pack. Nissan chose a sealed |
| Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont. | | | | nickel-metal hydride or Ni-MH battery which produces |
| The Altima Hybrid though is not completely a Nissan | | | | the additional 40 horsepower. With the engine and |
| even if its components are manufactured where | | | | the electric motor as well as emissions filtering |
| Nissan Maxima parts are being manufactured. This is | | | | devices, Nissan managed to get an Advanced |
| because the powertrain used by the Altima Hybrid is | | | | Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle classification |
| from Toyota - that one known as the Hybrid | | | | for the Altima Hybrid. |
| Synergy Drive. Nissan's use of the said technology is | | | | As far as ride comfort is concerned, the Altima |
| made possible by a licensing agreement with Toyota. | | | | Hybrid sports an independent sub frame-mounted |
| The third largest Japanese car manufacturer though | | | | strut type suspension for its front end. For the rear |
| is planning to introduce a hybrid vehicle of its own | | | | of the car, Nissan equipped it with a multi-link |
| before the turn of the century. The production of | | | | independent suspension setting. Stabilizer bars are |
| the said vehicle is part of the Nissan Green Program | | | | also part of the Nissan Altima Hybrid's suspension |
| 2010. The environmentally-aware program is Nissan's | | | | assembly as well as a vehicle speed-sensitive electric |
| goal to reduce greenhouse gas emission by their | | | | steering. |
| vehicles and their facilities. Recently, the company | | | | |