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Elhart Nissan's automotive expertise is a product of our sustained interest in industry trends and characteristics. We are privileged to share the latest news, promotions and events with you and hope the information will enhance your shopping experience. As you know, there are many new cars from which to choose, and we believe an informed customer is the best customer.

Nissan LEAF Earns 5-Star NCAP Rating

Nissan LEAF is the first 100-percent electric vehicle to earn five stars from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration
Franklin, Tenn.-
The 100-percent electric Nissan LEAF has earned a 5-star overall vehicle rating for safety as part of the National Highway Safety Administration's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).  The Nissan LEAF is the first fully electric vehicle to earn this highest distinction from the program.  Starting with 2011 models, NHTSA introduced tougher tests and requirements in order to earn 5-star ratings.  The Nissan LEAF has also been named a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
"The NIssan LEAF is the first all-electric vehicle to achieve 5-star overall for safety", said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. "Not only is the LEAF the most innovative car on the planet, it is also one of the safest."
Standard Nissan LEAF safety systems include Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat upper tether anchor, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren)  system and child safety rear door locks.  Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS) are also standard on all LEAF models.
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NISSAN NV200 SELECTED AS NEW YORK CITY'S "TAXI OF TOMORROW"

Nissan chosen as exclusive provider of NYC taxi fleet.
NEW YORK-
New York is "hailing" a new era of urban mobility today, as the city with the nation's largest taxi fleet has selected Nissan to design and supply the next-generation "Taxi of Tomorrow."  The announcements were made during a City Hall press briefing that included Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Nissan Americas Chairman Carlos Tavares.
The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) selected the Nissan NV200 as the exclusive taxi of New York City beginning in late 2013.  The award comes after a rigorous selection process that occurred over more than two years.  The competition built upon more than a century of taxi industry heritage to drive the design and creation of a purpose-built vehicle, tuned to the city's streets.  The other two finalists included Ford Motor Co. and Karsa, a Turkish vehicle manufacturer.
"Nissan is proud to provide the next generation of taxis for the City of New York," said Tavares.  "The NV200 taxi will give Nissan the opportunity to showcase our dedication to vehicle quality and urban mobility to more than 600,000 passengers every day."
The Nissan NV200 will be produced in North America at Nissan's facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico.  The Nissan NV200 taxi will be a modified version of the compact commercial vehicle currently available in global markets including Japan, Europe and China.  Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be around $29,000.
As part of the program, Nissan also will work with the City and taxi owners on a pilot program to study the use of zero-emission, electric vehicles as taxis.  Nissan will provide up to six 100-percent electric LEAF's to taxi owners for testing in 2012 as well as the charging stations to support their use.
"The city's Taxi of Tomorrow is the Nissan NV200- and it's going to be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient cab the city has ever had," said Mayor Bloomberg, "We started this process to leverage our taxi industry's purchasing power to get the highest quality taxi, one that can expand and redefine the legendary image of New York City taxicabs.  The new taxis will be custom-designed to meet the specific demands of carrying 600,000 passengers a day in New York City traffic and the vehicle meets the top priorities identified by the public in our on-line survey."
Planned innovations, which respond to direct input from drivers, owners and passengers, include:
2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet;
Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, substantially improved over current taxi models;
A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, helping reduce noise pollution;
Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit;
Transparent roof panel (with shade) that will provide unique views of the city;
Independently controlled rear air conditioning with a grape phenol-coated air filter to improve cabin air quality;
Attractive, breathable, antimicrobial, environmentally friendly and easy-to-clean seat fabric that simulates the look and feel of leather;
Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locaate belongings;
A mobile charging station for passengers that include a 12Velectrical outlet and two USB plugs;
A six-way adjustable driver's seat that features both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed;
Standard driver's navigation and telematics systems.
Nissan also focused on passenger safety when designing the NV200 taxi.  Key safety features include:
Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, as well as seat-mounted airbags for the front row;
Standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC);
Sliding doors to reduce the risk of pedestrains, Cyclists and other motorists getting struck by doors opening unexpectedly;
Lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening.
With more than 13,000 taxis traveling a cumulative 500 millionmiles per year, durability was a key factor in the "Taxi of Tomorrow" selection process.  Nissan will train taxi fleet operators to conduct routine in-house service and repairs, and Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers will provie prompt service by providing the first available service bay to taxi operators needing service.
About Taxi of Tomorrow
In 2007, City officals convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owner and passengers, to create a set goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow.  In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab.  At the end of the evaluation, the Nissan NV200 was selected and will be the next New York City taxicab for ten years, beginning in 2013.
About Nissan Americas
In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, disribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recongnized as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011.  Moreinformation on Nisan North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.
About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.  Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010.  With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands.  A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
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2011 Nissan Leaf Named 'World Car Of The Year'

This year's World Car of the Year competition began with thirty-nine vehicles, picked by a team of journalists from around the world.  The next stage cut the list of eligible vehicles down to ten, followed by the selection of three finalists at last month's Geneva Motor Show.  It came down to the 2011 Nissan Leaf against the 2011 Audi A8 and the 2011 BMW 5 Series; as good as the other cars may have been, only one car on the list counts as revolutionary, and the jurors awarded the title to the Nissan LEAF.  In a prepared statement, the panel said, :the Leaf is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan.  This 5-seater, 5-door hatchback is the world's first, purpose-built, mass-produced electric car.  The good news?  It feels just like a normal car, only quieter."
Nissan wasn't the only winner at this year's presentation.  Ferrari's 458 Italia was declared the 2011 World Performance Car, besting the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Porsche 911 Turbo.  Aston Martin's Rapide was declared the 2011 World Car Design Of The Year, beating out the Alfa Romeo Giulietta and the Ferrari 458 Italia.  Finally, the Chevrolet Volt took top honors as the 2011 World Green Car, defeating the BMW 230d EfficientDynamics and the Nissan Leaf.
The World Car Awards began in 2003 as a way to recognize the globalization of the automotive indusrty, and to reconize manufactures who deliver excellence on an international scale.  To be eligible for a World Car Award in any category, a vehicle must be sold on at least two continents for a period ranging from January 1 of the previous year through May 30 of the current year.  Previous World Car of the Year award winners include the Volkswagen Polo (2010), the Mazda 2 (2008) and the Lexus LS460 (2007).

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Nissan LEAF Earns Top Safety Pick From IIHS

The Nissan LEAF is the first 100% electric vehicle to earn the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
Today, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 2011Nissan LEAF a "Top Safety Pick" rating.  The rating is given to vehicles that achieve the Institute's highest rating of "Good" in front, rear and side impact protection as well as being equipped with electronic stability control and earn a good rating in roof strength.  The Nissan LEAF joins the Nissan Cube and Infiniti M37/M56 on the list of 2011 Top Safety Picks.
"Nissan has a long standing commitment to safety and innovation," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America, Inc. "The award confirms that the commitment to passenger safety continues with the 100% electric Nissan LEAF."
The Nissan LEAF is the first 100% electric vehicle to be tested by the Institute.  Standard Nissan LEAF safety systems include Nissan Advance Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, front, seat-mounted side impact supplemental air bags, roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection, 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's seat ELR only) with pretensioners and load limiters, child seat upper tether enchor, LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and child safety rear door locks.  Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS) are also standard on all LEAF models.
In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manfacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and was recognized as an ENERGY STAR Partner of the year by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 2010 and 2011.  More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an intergral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.  Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4 million vehicles in 2010.  With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands.  A pioneer in zero emissions mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to Sustainable Mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
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Nissan Full-Sized Utility Van

RICK KRANZ

Raise the roof: Nissan is coming with the NV van

January 31, 2011 - 7:46 pm ET

 

There are two ways to increase the utility of a full-sized van: Stretch the wheelbase or extend the roof upward.

The 2012 Nissan NV just might change the way General Motors and Ford market vans. Some of their next-generation vans might need to get much taller.

The NV is Nissan's first attempt to grab a share of the full-sized, commercial van market dominated by the Chevrolet Express, Ford Econoline and GMC Savana. The van will be built in Nissan's Canton, Miss., plant. It is scheduled to go on sale this spring at selected Nissan commercial vehicle dealers.

The base model, the NV 1500 Standard Roof S V-6, carries a $25,570 sticker price, including delivery, making it competitive with GM and Ford vans. 

What stands out is what Nissan calls the high roof model, a van that is nearly two feet taller than the standard roof NV. The cargo area is tall enough to stand in and walk around. A tradesman can easily set up a work bench. Shelving can be attached to each interior wall to stock parts and tools. It can be turned into a workshop on wheels.

http://www.autonews.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/storyimage/CA/20110131/BLOG06/110139975/V2/V2-110139975.jpg&q=80&MaxW=505

What's interesting here is that Nissan is offering vans that are factory-built, factory-warranted and can be easily selected with a wide range of options.

 

In addition to its utility, what will make the high roof model attractive to some tradesmen is the price, a $28,970 sticker, including delivery. That's $3,400 more than the regular roof model. Mercedes-Benz offers a tall, full-sized van, but it's price prohibitive for most van buyers -- it stickers beginning at around $36,000. 

Neither Nissan nor Mercedes invented the tall van. Coachbuilders have offered a tall, box design for decades created off a cab chassis. But GM and Ford do not offer a factory-built high-roof model.

What's interesting here is that an automaker is offering a tall van that is factory-built, factory-warranted and can be easily selected with a wide range of options. It is just a matter of checking off the boxes on the dealer order form. And it carries an attractive sticker price.

I've walked through the high-roof Nissan NV. It's a segment changer.

 

You can reach Rick Kranz at rkranz@crain.com.



Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20110131/BLOG06/110139975/-1#ixzz1CiS0Bcqa

 

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News and Events

Nissan LEAF Earns 5-Star NCAP Rating
Nissan LEAF is the first 100-percent electric vehicle to earn five stars from the National Highway Transportation ...
NISSAN NV200 SELECTED AS NEW YORK CITY'S "TAXI OF TOMORROW"
Nissan chosen as exclusive provider of NYC taxi fleet.NEW YORK- New York is "hailing" a new era of urban ...
2011 Nissan Leaf Named 'World Car Of The Year'
This year's World Car of the Year competition began with thirty-nine vehicles, picked by a team of journalists ...
Nissan LEAF Earns Top Safety Pick From IIHS
The Nissan LEAF is the first 100% electric vehicle to earn the Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute ...
Nissan Full-Sized Utility Van
RICK KRANZ Raise the roof: Nissan is coming with the NV van January 31, 2011 - 7:46 pm ET   There ...
  

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