REPORT: Nissan considering building EVs and batteries in the U.S.
Nissan EV-02 prototype - click above for high res image gallery
Earlier this year, Nissan applied for low interest loans under the Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Incentive Program. In order to qualify for those loans, Nissan would have to use the government funds to build something "green" in the U.S., and it appears that if Nissan gets the loan it plans to build electric vehicles at its Smyrna, Tennessee assembly plant. The line, which is expected to have a capacity of 50-100,000 units annually, could be up and running by 2012.
Automotive Energy Supply Company, the Nissan-NEC battery joint venture, also plans to set up shop in Smyrna. Initial production of both batteries and electric cars will start in Japan in 2010. Reuters is reporting that Nissan is expecting to get approval for a loan of $1 billion for the assembly and battery projects.
Gallery: Quick Drive: Nissan EV-02 prototype
[Source: Reuters]
Photos Copyright ©2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Sea Urchin 8:46AM (6/22/2009)
So GM will bring cars from China while Nissan will build cars in USA?
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Gary 11:18AM (6/22/2009)
It drives me crazy when people make comments like this. They make it sound like the Detroit three make 90% of their cars off-shore, while the imports make 90% of their cars locally.
Gundam Exia 9:54AM (6/22/2009)
Takes a seat to wait for the anti-EV car comments
Reply
poematik14 12:48PM (6/22/2009)
That car will sell like hotcakes if they introduce it here in the US. I hope Nissan is smart enough to do that. People in socal are yearning for an affordable stylish, compact, electric daily driver.
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ugg.tryptophan 11:01AM (6/23/2009)
as long as it looks like the jdm cube and not the us cube, no one is buying that