2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid to debut later this year, still 41 states shy of nationwide

The 2011 Nissan Altima Hybrid will hit dealer lots later this year and Nissan has once again decided to limit sales of the model to just nine states. Nissan gives several reasons why it has limited the Altima Hybrid to just nine markets (California, Oregon, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont) but we think that it mainly boils down to an issue of supply for many of the hybrid components licensed from Toyota.

When the redesigned 2012 Altima sedan debuts, a hybrid version is expected to follow. This hybrid model will utilize Nissan's new, in-house hybrid system that will also be featured on the upcoming Infiniti M35. We fully expect that the 2012 Nissan Altima Hybrid will be offered nationwide, but until then, the company's decision to restrict sales of the Altima Hybrid means that most of us our seeking a hybrid offering from Nissan are just plain out of luck.

[Source: Green Car Advisor]