12/11 auto news
December 11th 2006 16:03
Nissan to develop new fuel cell technology
Nissan Motor Co. on Monday said it will introduce a next-generation fuel cell vehicle in Japan and North America in the early 2010s.
The effort — called Nissan Green Program 2010 — will begin from fiscal year 2010 with gasoline engine technologies that improve fuel economy while decreasing carbon dioxide emissions equal to diesel engines, Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said at a Tokyo press conference.
The automaker plans to introduce a new fuel-cell vehicle with an improved fuel stack to give performance similar to gasoline-powered automobiles, Shiga said. Right now, fuel cell vehicles are powered by water vapor, produced when oxygen in the air mingles with hydrogen stored in the vehicle’s fuel tank.
But the company is developing an internal combustion engine that would power the fuel cell vehicles.
"To develop vehicles that are truly environmentally friendly, we need to make significant advances in internal combustion technology while working on electrical power sources in parallel," said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan's executive vice president for research and development in a statement.
Shiga said the company is developing a “three-liter car” that can travel 100 kilometers, or 60 miles, on three liters, or three quarts, of gasoline. A new model is expected in Japan in 2010. Nissan also plans to introduce a 100-percent bioethanol fuel model for Brazil by 2009. It will market an electric vehicle in Japan during the early part of next decade.
Audi to boost models, spending
Luxury automaker Audi AG said Monday it plans to expand its lineup to 40 models from 22 and invest $15.7 billion through 2011.
Audi is owned by Volkswagen AG.
"Investments in new models and product innovation is the life force of any enterprise," said Rupert Stadler, the company's incoming chief executive, told the Associated Press. "Only with attractive products can we ensure our success as a business."
Last week, Audi reported an 8 percent increase in November sales compared to a year ago. With strong demand for its A3, TT and A6 models, Audi estimates it will sell 900,000 cars by the end of the year, up from 829,100 cars last year.
Nissan Motor Co. on Monday said it will introduce a next-generation fuel cell vehicle in Japan and North America in the early 2010s.
The effort — called Nissan Green Program 2010 — will begin from fiscal year 2010 with gasoline engine technologies that improve fuel economy while decreasing carbon dioxide emissions equal to diesel engines, Nissan Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga said at a Tokyo press conference.
The automaker plans to introduce a new fuel-cell vehicle with an improved fuel stack to give performance similar to gasoline-powered automobiles, Shiga said. Right now, fuel cell vehicles are powered by water vapor, produced when oxygen in the air mingles with hydrogen stored in the vehicle’s fuel tank.
But the company is developing an internal combustion engine that would power the fuel cell vehicles.
"To develop vehicles that are truly environmentally friendly, we need to make significant advances in internal combustion technology while working on electrical power sources in parallel," said Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan's executive vice president for research and development in a statement.
Shiga said the company is developing a “three-liter car” that can travel 100 kilometers, or 60 miles, on three liters, or three quarts, of gasoline. A new model is expected in Japan in 2010. Nissan also plans to introduce a 100-percent bioethanol fuel model for Brazil by 2009. It will market an electric vehicle in Japan during the early part of next decade.
Audi to boost models, spending
Luxury automaker Audi AG said Monday it plans to expand its lineup to 40 models from 22 and invest $15.7 billion through 2011.
"Investments in new models and product innovation is the life force of any enterprise," said Rupert Stadler, the company's incoming chief executive, told the Associated Press. "Only with attractive products can we ensure our success as a business."
Last week, Audi reported an 8 percent increase in November sales compared to a year ago. With strong demand for its A3, TT and A6 models, Audi estimates it will sell 900,000 cars by the end of the year, up from 829,100 cars last year.
| 131 |
| Vote |
subscribe to this blog
