Nissan ECO Series to benefit from Japan's preferential tax scheme for environment-friendly vehicles

Nissan Motor Co.Ltd., today introduced its range of eco-friendly - the Nissan ECO Series - in anticipation of Japan's new preferential tax scheme for environment-friendly vehicles, effective April 2009*.

The Nissan ECO Series offers a diverse choice of thirteen models to choose from, and will officially go on sale from April 23, 2009, nationwide**.

The new preferential tax scheme favors clean-emission and energy efficient vehicles in the form of tax breaks for:

* automobile acquisition tax (from 50% to 100% tax break),
* automobile weight tax (from 50% to 100% tax break), and
* automobile tax one year after registration (from 25% to 50% tax break).

Vehicles that deliver 25% improvement over the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards qualify for 75% tax breaks in automobile acquisition and weight taxation. This includes seven vehicles: Cube, Note, Tiida, Tiida Latio, Wingroad, X-TRAIL and Serena. Whereas vehicles that deliver 15% improvement over the 2010 Fuel Economy Standards receive 50% tax break in the automobile acquisition and weight taxation.

The Nissan X-TRAIL Clean Diesel qualifies for maximum tax break at zero tax.

"The Nissan ECO Series offers our customers a fleet of environment-friendly cars that are also gentler on the pockets as each of these cars deliver significant improvements in fuel economy," said Takao Katagiri, corporate vice president of Marketing. "This green portfolio underscores Nissan's strong commitment to the environment. By employing a wide-range of environment technologies, we are delivering real-world fuel-economy and CO2 reductions, that our customers can appreciate."

The Nissan ECO Series features technology advancements such as Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and engine modulation, alternator regenerative energy system, improved aerodynamics and eco-driving support.

[B]Environment Technologies[/B]

[B][U]Engine modulation and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)[/B][/U]

* Incorporated in the Cube, Note, Tiida, Tiida Latio, Wingroad.

* The system modulates the vehicle accelaration to deliver optimal fuel-efficiency.

[B][U]Alternator regenerative energy system[/B][/U]

* Incorporated in the Cube, Note, Tiida, Tiida Latio, Wingroad.

* During deceleration, the kinetic energy is used to charge the battery - this eliminates energy waste.

* Battery charge and discharge is increased, and the speed range for energy regeneration is extended, leading to improved fuel consumption.

[B][U]CVT Control[/B][/U]

* Incorporated in the Cube, Note, Tiida, Tiida Latio, Wingroad.

* At idle, the CVT automotically reverts to neutral (N) from the drive (D) mode - this contributes to improve fuel consumption.

* CVT lock-up is disengaged at a lower speed and fuel-cut is engaged over a wider speed range, resulting in less fuel consumption during deceleration.

[B][U]Reduced drag[/B][/U]

* Incorporated in the Cube, Note, Tiida, Tiida Latio, Wingroad.

* Improved aerodynamics is achieved under the engine compartment to reduce vehicle drag.

[B][U]CARWINGS ECO drive support system[/B][/U]

* Incorporated on select Tiida and Tiida Latio models.

* In tandem with XTRONIC CVT, the eco-driving system helps to correct driving behavior to achieve optimal fuel efficiency.

* The system combines data from the navigation system such as "curve angle" or "distance to the tollgate", to moderate the optimal fuel efficiency.

[I]*: These new tax scheme does not apply to Autech models.[/I]

[I]**: Exception: Tiida and Tiida Latio will be launched in May 19, 2009.[/I]

Credits: JRC