Nissan has tasked its engineers with the job of getting more miles for gallons out of its vehicles to attract more buyers that are interested in the government's Car Allowance Rebate System "Cash-for-Clunkers". The program offers more of an incentive for vehicles with greater efficiency.
"We want as many of our products as possible to pop up on the shopping list," Nissan North America spokesman Brian Brockman told Automotive News.
Since the program is supposed to be done by November, that is not enough time for automakers to make drastic changes. Instead engineers are forced to use lighter wheels, and make small engine tweaks to squeeze out the smallest improvements.
| « Previous | Next » |
Around the Web:
Comments (18)
This only makes sense...Nissan is rich! I would know...I drive a Z! Hahahahahaha
Posted by Blue Z34 | July 27, 2009 1:20 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 13:20
@ Blue Z34:
Wow, you driving a Z is like Jim Bob driving a 328i. We'll talk "rich" when you own a CLK-GTR or Reventon. Until then, I'm completely satisfied with my poor-man's exotic a.k.a. R8.
In other news, smart move in Nissan's part, but this has nothing to do with whether or not Nissan's "rich."
Posted by lotsofTRidiots | July 27, 2009 1:45 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 13:45
This means smaller lighter cars from Nissan. Unless they integrate hybrid tech into more cars...
Posted by Think | July 27, 2009 1:52 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 13:52
This means smaller lighter cars from Nissan. Unless they integrate hybrid tech into more cars...
Posted by Think | July 27, 2009 1:52 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 13:52
If only Nissan would make a single good-looking car... their specs look good (like Z or Maxima), but their design... ugh!
Posted by DuDe | July 27, 2009 2:03 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 14:03
I don't know how well this program is going to work in helping the entire auto industry rebound, but of a friend of mine that works at a Hyundai lot said they had their best month in like 5+ years, selling 20+ cars a day.
I just wish I had a "junker" (must have owned it for 1 year and had insurance coverage for the that one year) to trade in for the $4,500 credit. He said all these people are trading in junk, like a 92 Ford Explorer POS that barely runs and is worth like $300...they end up buying a brand new Accent for like $5,500 out the door.
Posted by Noya | July 27, 2009 3:30 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 15:30
EVERYTHING American is junk to YOU Noya.
Posted by 426Hemi | July 27, 2009 4:33 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 16:33
Yet another way for the US to send money out of the country.
Hamstring our auto industry over the past 30 years and then financially support foreign auto companies.
One would think our leaders aren't citizens of the US but some other country...
Posted by stromm | July 27, 2009 4:56 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 16:56
Yet another way for the US to send money out of the country.
Hamstring our auto industry over the past 30 years and then financially support foreign auto companies.
One would think our leaders aren't citizens of the US but some other country...
Posted by stromm | July 27, 2009 4:58 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 16:58
Yet another way for the US to send money out of the country.
Hamstring our auto industry over the past 30 years and then financially support foreign auto companies.
One would think our leaders aren't citizens of the US but some other country...
Posted by stromm | July 27, 2009 4:59 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 16:59
@ 426Hemi
Not everything, just most automobiles.
But thinking about your statement, what can you buy that's made in the USA that's of higher quality than what's imported?
Posted by Noya | July 27, 2009 5:55 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 17:55
To add to my above post, it's not that I wouldn't prefer to buy made in USA products, even at a slight premium as long as it's equal quality.
But the more I think about it, the less there is that comes from our country that I want to buy, especially when it comes to mass produced food products (our beef, milk, produce, etc.) that have so much chemicals/steroids in them along with being genetically modified to where places like the EU and Canada out their use.
Posted by Noya | July 27, 2009 6:02 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 18:02
The above brought to you by someone who bases his opinion of American cars on 10 year old Ford Fox Body Mustangs. /announcervoice
Well Noya, at least I know my truck won't snap a cam, crank, or rust out in a couple years. But to be fair, Toyota assembles the Tundra and its engine in the US. So, I will go for something very American then, the American Flag. The Chinese knock offs after 9/11 just don't last/hold up like an American one.
Posted by Avatar | July 27, 2009 6:52 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 18:52
Well. . . well. . . well. . . I own a Nissan 350z track edition 6mt with a aps twin turbo kit. Kicks out a fuckin 542rwhp!!!!!!! Nissan is sooooo awesum. . BUY A Z
Posted by SilverLamboZ | July 27, 2009 10:05 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 22:05
"The Chinese knock offs after 9/11 just don't last/hold up like an American one."
Thank you.
Posted by muscleoverrice | July 27, 2009 11:47 PM
Posted on July 27, 2009 23:47
Well I'd go with furniture, but that's just me.
And hell, if you aren't willing to pay an arm and a leg of furniture that'll last you your life time and probably your kids, then you can always go Amish.
I find if funny that car makers keep saying no, no people don't buy small cars. What small cars? Hell my 04 Corolla is pretty close to my mom's 92 Camry. Or take a mid 2000 Civic vs. the mid 90's Accord. A small car is an 88 Dodge Omni, original VW Golf, or a CRX (shudders). Start making them smaller and we will still buy them.
Hell a friend of mine has a 96 Dodge Neon with over 200k miles on it. And it still runs, and is driven daily.
(There is NO reason the 2010 Taurus needs to be the size of a Crown Vic.)
Posted by Brian | July 28, 2009 2:19 AM
Posted on July 28, 2009 02:19
To get back on topic a bit.
I'm glad to see any car company attempting to make changes that could help improve fuel efficiency, but this is just another example of something that could have and should have been done a long time ago. If it weren't for this "cash for clunkers" program, would Nissan be trying to "tweak" their cars to entice customers to buy from them? Probably not.
In fact alot of these car companies didn't really place fuel efficiency high on their list (and neither did Americans until recently for the most part) until gas prices went up and people didn't buy like they used to. I just hope that the manufacturers have learned to anticipate where the auto industry is going and adjust accordingly. I hope that they seriously take a look at the product they put out versus the competition because I feel that buyers not only are more informed but expect more for their money as they have less of it to spend.
Posted by l3admonky | July 28, 2009 7:38 PM
Posted on July 28, 2009 19:38
Hey guys. First time contributor in this great forum, so I figured I would start off with a big one.
I've read a lot of e-books and articles in my endless search on how to actually make money on
the internet, but none spelled it out quite as RsIncome - Have any of you guys tried it? It was a one
time fee for me of $12 and I think in the 2 months i've been doing it I've profited over $9,000 which is flippin
awesome!
I suggest you guys check it out ify ou want to make SERIOUS cash online, but if not, just think of this as a
hearty introduction from myself.
Cheers!
Josh
PS
For all of you who actually do want to look into it i'll provide the URL without my referral id so you KNOW i'm telling
the truth.
here you go
www.rsincome.com
Posted by GuatteroDar | October 29, 2009 9:59 AM
Posted on October 29, 2009 09:59