Nissan may launch 4 mass-market electric cars including a 2-seater

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CHIBA, Oct 21, 2009 (Kyodo News International - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- NSANY | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn said Wednesday the automaker is considering releasing four electric vehicles for the mass market, including a two-seater, urban-use model.

"The time is now for zero emissions. Sustainable mobility is within your reach," Ghosn said at a press preview of the Tokyo Motor Show at the Makuhari Messe convention center on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Nissan also plans to launch a fully electric light commercial vehicle for use as an ambulance, delivery van or taxi and unveiled a concept sketch. A compact Infinity luxury car seating four people will also be released, although no details on when the two vehicles will be marketed were provided.

"We did not announce yet the schedule, but what you can expect is full-fledged offensive starting (in) 2012," Ghosn said in a separate interview with the media.

The automaker will roll out its fully electric, midsize family sedan -- the Leaf -- in Japan, the United States and Europe in late 2010.

The Leaf, which will be mass-produced globally from 2012, will be unveiled to the public for the first time when the auto show kicks off for general visitors from Saturday.

Nissan displayed a quirky and compact concept vehicle called the Land Glider at the auto event, which will likely form the basis of a two-seater EV planned for the mass market.

The vehicle has unique in-line, not side-by-side, seats for two people, fitted into a cocoon-like body. It can also tilt up to 17 degrees as it takes corners like a motorcycle and is designed for urban use with its slim body capable of fitting into narrow parking spaces.

"Land Glider is a preview of the new era of emission-free mobility that Nissan intends to lead," Ghosn said after he stepped out of the vehicle at a press event.

In addition to the EVs, Nissan also showcased the new Fuga luxury sedan, which will hit the Japanese market this autumn, and a hybrid version of the new Fuga, powered by a 3.5-liter, V-6 engine and an electric motor running on lithium ion batteries.

Nissan plans to launch the Fuga hybrid in Japan next autumn, which will become the first original gas-electric hybrid car for the automaker.

Japan's third-largest automaker has lagged rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in the competition for the best-selling hybrids, but it hopes to offer the hybrid alternative until EVs become more mainstream.

Nissan also showed off what it calls a "super spacious" minivehicle to be supplied by Suzuki Motor Corp. for launch in the Japanese market in December.

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