With one of the widest ranges on the market, innovative electric vehicle applications and bold sales growth ambitions, Nissan's LCV business is in ramp up mode
• World premiere of e-NV200 zero-emission panel van concept
• Two further EV concepts underline Nissan's EV leadership
• New specialist conversions revealed
Further proof of Nissan's intention to be global leader of the light commercial market by 2016 will be displayed at the 64th Hanover Motor Show in Germany.
The company's stand showcases not just the breadth of its European LCV range, but also the depth of its innovative thinking in Zero Emission and EV technologies.
Among the highlights is the world premiere of Nissan's next 100 per cent electric compact panel van, the second of four electric vehicles promised by 2014.
To be built for global distribution exclusively at Nissan's plant in Barcelona, Spain, e-NV200 combines the best elements of two multi-award winning vehicles - Nissan LEAF, the world's best selling pure EV, and NV200, the 2010 International Van of the Year.
"When production starts in the 2013 financial year, e-NV200 will cement Nissan's place as the world leader in zero-emission mobility.
"With its near silent running and complete lack of tailpipe emissions, e-NV200 will open up new business opportunities for our customers," said Hideto Murakami, Corporate Vice President, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, head of the Global LCV Business Unit.
e-NV200 is a no-compromise vehicle. Currently in the middle of successful real-world prototype trials by independent third party testers, e-NV200 will offer exactly the same carrying capacity as the conventionally powered NV200, while its Nissan LEAF-based running gear includes Quick Charging technology which recharges its battery to 80 per cent capacity in just 30 minutes.
It is not the only electrically powered vehicle on the Nissan stand, however. Two other concept vehicles give a glimpse into a potential battery-powered future.
The first is the e-NT400 Cabstar Concept, which uses EV technology pioneered by Nissan LEAF to create a large zero-emission light truck capable of entering areas denied to conventionally-powered LCVs.
The second concept vehicle uses its battery power in a highly innovative way. Rather than powering the vehicle itself, the lithium-ion battery and electric motor in the Cabstar e-Refrigerator are used to drive the vehicle's chiller and refrigerated compartments, reducing CO2 and noise emissions by taking over the task normally performed by the truck's diesel engine at the same time as reducing fuel consumption.
Further examples of smart innovation from Nissan can be found on the exhibition stand, demonstrating the company's global reach and its ability to think differently.
Residents, workers and visitors to New York City will soon be given a constant reminder of the company's talent to adapt to specific business requirements, as the next generation Yellow Cab will be a Nissan.
The choice of NV200 as New York City's Taxi of Tomorrow is celebrated with an example on the stand. Designed to be safe, comfortable and practical, the first fleet of NV200 Taxis will hit the streets of the Big Apple towards the end of 2013.
The NV200 taxi is also ready to make its mark in London. Extensive modifications have been made to NV200 to ensure it conforms to the UK's strict ‘Hackney Carriage' regulations and the vehicle is now going through full certification. It is expected sales of the first Nissan NV 200 Black Cabs will start in early 2013.
NV200 and NV400 vans and combis, meanwhile, are among the fleet of Nissan LCVs being used by the Red Bull Racing F1 Team as it races around the world. Expanding the strategic partnership with the team forged by Infiniti last year, Nissan is delighted to have been chosen to support Red Bull's transport solution as the team defends its world titles.
Underlining the breadth of the range, the stand will also have examples of the current range of light commercial vehicles. The display will show both line-built products such as the NV200 and NV400 in van and combi guises along with factory-backed refrigerator and tipper conversions. Also on display will be a Primastar combi, Cabstar Aerial Lifter and an Atleon Box truck.
With the exception of the NYC NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow, which will be built in North America, every vehicle on the Nissan stand is produced in Europe.
Nissan's Spanish operation, which builds NV200, Primastar, Cabstar, Atleon, Navara and Pathfinder, increased production by almost 50 per cent in 2011 over 2010. In all, a total of 154,492 units were produced compared to 104,702 in 2010. The total includes almost 70,000 Primastar models and 21,296 examples of the NV200.
Over the next two years, the plants in Barcelona and Avila will add three new vehicles to lines: Barcelona will built e-NV200 while Avila has been chosen to build a new medium duty truck.
"Such is the depth of our range that we would need an entire hall, or perhaps two, to show every model or option available world-wide, but the vehicles we have chosen to display give a strong insight into the Nissan LCV offering to European customers.
"The current Nissan LCV range is one of the widest across the globle, proving that we understand the diverse needs of our customers. And with the imminent arrival of e-NV200 it's about to get even more innovative. Nissan really does mean business," said Hideto Murakami.
