Nissan: Not Planning to Play a Role in Hybrids

Speaking of the Tokyo Motor Show, hybrid vehicles, and executive pronouncements, Nissan's (NSANY) head honcho, Carlos Ghosn, has made some interesting statements about Nissan's technology plans. Speaking from the exhibition floor, Ghosn said that Nissan doesn't want to be a big player in the hybrid market, having chosen instead to set its sights further down the road: "We are not intending to play a leadership role in hybrids. One company already assumed leadership in the technology. We want leadership on EVs." Sounds a little reminiscent of Honda's (HMC) view on EVs versus fuel-cell vehicles -- although Ghosn gets points for standing firm instead of bending to marketplace demands.

Comments

[Bull Run:]

I'm of the thought that hybrids are just a very expensive, development point of view, stop gap measure, and that full electric cars will soon be here. The problem facing auto comps. is that the annual sales in N. America is in the 9.5 million range, well below the 17.5 million in 2005-06 period. That leaves one US auto comp. out of the picture. I'm guessing GM will be the thing of the past by next year. There's just NO room for GM in the sales picture.

Oct 25 02:37 PM

[TinyTim:]

Agree with BR.
Hybrids are just an intermediate step to BEV.
Most travel demand could be satisfied with a 100 mile range EV.
As gas prices rise, it will make a lot of sense to have an EV plus a road car, although many people even now rent a car for long trips.

The biggest factor in Nissan's EV strategy is that they're planning to dump ICE technology in the long haul. I doubt car companies that follow Nissan will be producing their own electric motors or drives. The capital cost of engine casting plants is huge. This will create a more agile company.

Oct 26 01:14 PM

[a. palmer jr.:]

I think it would be cool to have an electric car in my garage. I would probably want a gas car for long hauls which I wouldn't use much but for around town and back and forth to the grocery store an electric car would be great. I'll probably wait awhile until the price comes down some before I buy one.

Oct 26 07:57 PM