07.07.2008 , LOS ANGELES

First U.S.-Spec Nissan GT-R Supercar Delivered To California Customer at 12:01 A.M.

– 70% of Available GT-Rs Already Spoken For on First Day of Sales –

Nissan North America, Inc. saved a few fireworks for the morning after the Independence Day holiday, delivering the first Nissan GT-R supercar in the United States at 12:01 a.m. PDT today to a Southern California customer.

The exotic, all-new 2009 Nissan GT-R, long coveted by American buyers who previously could experience the legendary GT-R only through electronic video games, officially goes on sale today at a select number of GT-R Certified Nissan dealers across the country.  Daryl Alison of Costa Mesa, Calif., one of the first customers to order a new GT-R through a pre-sale program launched last January, couldn’t wait for normal business hours to take possession of his new Black Obsidian GT-R Premium model.  Through special arrangement with Universal City Nissan, Los Angeles, Alison was handed the keys by dealer representative Mike Sage moments after midnight.

“I’ve followed the history of the GT-R since inception and, after years of anticipation, it’s great to see the ‘Godzilla of supercars’ finally coming to the U.S.,” said Alison.  “I’ve owned a number of Nissan 350Z sports cars and other exotics and muscle cars, but more than any other vehicle I can’t wait to get this new GT-R out on the road.  Now it’s America’s time to get in and play.”

More than 1,700 of the exotic 480-horsepower Nissan GT-R supercars, or approximately 70 percent of the first year allocation for the United States market, have already been spoken for, with deliveries of those initial orders expected to continue throughout the coming months.

“It’s a very exciting time for Nissan and auto enthusiasts who have waited a long time for the GT-R to become available in the U.S.,” said Sage.  “Demand for the GT-R has been overwhelming, with more people wanting them than cars available.  We’re pleased to deliver the very first GT-R to an enthusiast who will really appreciate its extraordinary performance abilities.”

Joining the midnight delivery ceremony was Steve Millen, long-time Nissan race driver and the winningest driver in IMSA GT race series history.  Millen recently participated in high-performance racetrack test sessions in the Nissan GT-R for a leading automotive enthusiast magazine and has assisted with GT-R dealer orientation and training programs.

The GT-R is available only through officially certified Nissan dealers that have met a number of strict sales, service and facilities commitments, including dedicating a master technician to GT-R service.  A searchable listing of the GT-R Certified Nissan dealers is available to consumers on nissanusa.com.  The 2009 Nissan GT-R has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP)* of $69,850 for the GT-R and $71,900 for the GT-R Premium model.

The 2009 Nissan GT-R features a 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 producing 480 horsepower and 430 lb-ft of torque, backed by an all-new, paddle-shifted, dual clutch sequential 6-speed rear transaxle.  It features the use of a world’s first independent rear transaxle ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive system, which places the transmission, transfer case and final drive at the rear of the vehicle, optimizing weight distribution and maximizing handling capability.

The Nissan GT-R’s hybrid body construction combines steel, carbon fiber and die-cast aluminum and has a low coefficient of drag of 0.27, while achieving high front and rear downforce.  GT-R’s four-passenger cabin features a sloping “aero blade canopy” roofline and curved C-pillar “sword edge,” as well as GT-R’s hallmark four-ring taillights, functional rear carbon fiber underbody diffuser, rear spoiler and large, integrated quad exhaust tips.  Inside, GT-R’s interior includes sculpted performance bucket seats for an optimal driving position, a cockpit-style instrument panel with a large center-mounted tachometer and a multi-function display – which includes mechanical and driving information, as well as an on-board driving recorder.

A 2009 Nissan GT-R recently set a lap time of 7 minutes 29 seconds at the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife, one of the fastest times achieved by a production-spec vehicle to date, and has been timed in independent magazine tests at 0 – 60 miles per hour in under 3.5 seconds.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing.  Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.  More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.
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*MSRP excludes applicable tax, title and license fees.  Dealer sets actual price.  Prices and specs are subject to change without notice.

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Nissan Aids Tennessee Tornado Victims With $120,000 Donation [Feb. 8, 08]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Feb. 8, 2008) – Nissan North America, Inc., today said it would donate $120,000 in cash to the American Red Cross Nashville Area Chapter to assist with relief efforts in Tennessee after tornadoes ripped through the state earlier in the week.

“Tennessee is our home so we felt a responsibility to help our neighbors,” said Dominique Thormann, senior vice president, Administration and Finance. “As a corporation, we are committed to helping the communities in which we live and work especially in time of need.”

The $120,000 donation will help support the American Red Cross’ Southern Tornado Relief Fund. The Red Cross is coordinating relief efforts in Tennessee with other organizations.

Nissan has a long history of responding to community needs through organizations including the American Red Cross, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, Second Harvest Food Bank, World Wildlife Fund, Boys and Girls Clubs and a variety of local and national education programs.

In North America, Nissan operations include automotive styling, design, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information about Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com. 

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Renault-Nissan and Project Better Place Prepare for First Mass Marketed Electric Vehicles [Jan. 21, 08]

In a significant move towards reducing CO2 car emissions as well as particles pollution, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Project Better Place engage in a breakthrough with electric vehicles in Israel.
The solution framework comes in response to the Israeli State’s challenge to the auto industry and its supply chain to migrate the country’s transportation infrastructure to renewable sources of energy.

For the first time in history, all the conditions necessary for electric vehicles to be successfully mass-marketed will be brought together in a partnership between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Project Better Place in Israel. The Israeli government would provide tax incentives to customers, Renault would supply the electric vehicles, and Project Better Place would construct and operate an Electric Recharge Grid across the entire country. Electric vehicles will be available for customers in 2011.

· 100% electric vehicles: Renault’s vehicles will run on pure electricity for all functions. The objective of zero emissions will be achieved, while at the same time offering driving performances similar to a 1.6 liter gasoline engine. Renault’s electric vehicles will be equipped with lithium-ion batteries, ensuring greater driving range and longevity.

· Innovative business model: For the first time in the electric vehicle business, ownership of the car is separated from the requirement to own a battery. Consumers will buy and own their car and subscribe to energy, including the use of the battery, on a basis of kilometers driven. This model is similar to the way mobile phones are sold, with an initial purchase and a monthly subscription for the mobility service.

· Competitive cost of ownership: The Israeli government recently extended a tax incentive on the purchase of any zero-emissions vehicle until 2019, making them more affordable. Combined with the lower cost of electricity as opposed to fuel-based energy, and the vehicle’s lifetime guarantee, the total cost of ownership for the customer will be significantly lower than that of a fuel-based car over the life cycle of the vehicle.

· Electric Recharge Grid infrastructure: California-based Project Better Place plans to deploy a massive network of battery charging spots. Driving range will no longer be an obstacle, because customers will be able to plug their cars into charging units in any of the 500,000 charging spots in Israel. An on-board computer system will indicate to the driver the remaining power supply and the nearest charging spot. Nissan, through its joint venture with NEC, has created a battery pack that meets the requirements of the electric vehicle and will mass-produce it. Renault is working on development of exchangeable batteries for continuous mobility. The entire framework will go through a series of tests starting this year.

· Perfect first mass market: In Israel, where 90% of car owners drive less than 70 kilometers per day, and all major urban centers are less than 150 kilometers apart, electric vehicles would be the ideal means of transportation and could therefore cover most of the population’s transportation needs.

Along with Project Better Place, this is the first illustration of the Alliance’s commitment to mass-market zero-emission vehicles all over the world.

Project Better Place
Project Better Place is a venture-backed company that aims to reduce global dependency on oil through the creation of a market-based transportation infrastructure that supports electric vehicles, providing consumers with a cleaner, sustainable, personal transportation alternative. Launched in October 2007, Project Better Place will build its first pilot Electric Recharge Grid in Israel and plans to deploy the infrastructure on a country-by-country basis with initial deployments beginning in 2010.

The Renault-Nissan Alliance
The Renault-Nissan Alliance, created in 1999, is the fourth largest automotive group in the world by sales volume (6,100,000 vehicles sold in 2007).

Moses Carasso & Sons, Ltd. has imported Renault and Nissan cars in Israel since 1948.

Renault Corporate
The Renault Group generated global revenues of €41,528 million in 2006. It designs, engineers, manufactures and sells passenger and light commercial vehicles throughout the world. The Renault Group is present in 118 countries and sells vehicles under its three brands – Renault, Dacia and Samsung. The Renault Group employs 129,000 people worldwide.

Nissan Corporate
The Nissan Motor Company generated global net revenues of 10.468 trillion yen in 2006. Nissan is present in all major global auto markets selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs and light commercial vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. Nissan employs over 180,000 people worldwide.