2006 Nissan Quest Se Mini Passenger Van 4-door 3.5l on 2040-cars

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Nissan already planning for EV sales once incentives run out

The way Nissan looks at it, no good deed goes unpunished. The Japanese automaker will likely be the first to see federal incentives for its electric vehicles disappear. And the company may already be trying to work out some wiggle room with the powers that be. The issue is that the Nissan Leaf is the most popular electric-vehicle in the US, moving more than 77,000 vehicles since the model's late-2010 debut. Sales have likely been helped by the $7,500 federal tax credit for EVs (along with additional state incentives), but that perk starts to disappear for Nissan once the automaker has sold a cumulative 200,000 EVs. Even though that's likely a few years off, Nissan North America executive Pierre Loing told Wards Auto that the company is talking with the feds to see if there is "room for negotiations." In the meantime, Nissan is trying to further cut battery-production costs in order to both reduce the price on the Leaf and lengthen its single-charge range. Nissan notably shaved $6,400 off of the Leaf's sticker price in early 2013, and that seems to have worked wonders. Leaf sales more than doubled that year to 22,610 units and jumped another 34 percent last year to 30,200 units. Featured Gallery 2013 Nissan Leaf View 13 Photos News Source: Wards Auto Government/Legal Green Nissan Electric legislation

Renault, Nissan attempt to calm rumors of impending split

TOKYO/PARIS — Shares in Renault recovered some lost ground on Tuesday after the French carmaker and its Japanese partner Nissan rejected media reports that their alliance was in danger of being dissolved. Some have openly questioned whether the alliance can survive without disgraced former CEO Carlos Ghosn to keep the two partners happy.  Renault shares fell to a six-year low on Monday after rumors circulated that its alliance with Nissan was in jeopardy. Nissan shares tumbled to their lowest in 8 1/2 years on Tuesday in Tokyo. At the opening of trading in Paris on Tuesday, Renault shares rose 1.3 percent, before falling back slightly to trade up 0.49 percent by 08:23 GMT. The alliance, which also includes Japan's Mitsubishi Motors, is "solid, robust, everything but dead," the chairman of Renault, Jean-Philippe Senard, told Belgian newspaper L'Echo. A split between the two automotive giants would force both to find new partners in a fast-consolidating industry that is growing increasingly difficult to navigate for independent companies. It will be especially difficult for Renault and Nissan, whose dirty laundry Ghosn intends to air for public consideration.   French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire also weighed in, saying reports some executives wanted to break up the alliance were "malicious." Speaking to France's CNews TV, he also said he expected Renault to name a new chief executive within days to replace Thierry Bollore, a Ghosn-era appointee who was ousted in October. Luca de Meo, who stepped down as the head of Volkswagen's Seat brand last week, is seen as a frontrunner for the job, although a stringent non-compete clause in his contract firm may prove a hurdle, sources have told Reuters. Nissan, in response to "speculative international media reports," said it was "in no way considering dissolving the alliance." "The alliance is the source of Nissan's competitiveness," the Japanese automaker said in a statement. "Through the alliance, to achieve sustainable and profitable growth, Nissan will look to continue delivering win-win results for all member companies." Concerns emerged about the future of the Renault-Nissan partnership after the November 2018 arrest in Japan of Ghosn, the man who did more than anyone else to hold together the disparate alliance of often-contrasting carmaking cultures.

Nissan touts e-NV200 as electric VIP transport

While the big auto show may be in Paris next month, right now in Hannover, Germany, commercial vehicle manufacturers are peddling their wares to fleet operators. Among them is Nissan, which is not only upgrading its NV400 full-size van with new engines and technology, but also showcasing a rather unusual show car in the form of the e-NV200 VIP Concept. Nissan has outfitted this electric NV200 demonstrator to chauffeur passengers around town in comfort and under electric propulsion. It's decked out in a two-tone metallic blue paint job and an interior upholstered in white leather contrasting with black trim and carpets, although for some reason the Japanese automaker hasn't seen fit to release any interior images. In the back you'll find a 21.5-inch DSP monitor, LED lighting and a pair of "club class" seats (again, no pictures), moved aft-wards to maximize leg room to 26 inches with an extendable footrest, while still allowing for luggage space behind. The driver can even make use of Nissan's new Smart Rear-View mirror to help get passengers as close to the red carpet as possible. NISSAN SHOWCASES EV FOR VIPs Zero emission e-NV200 is transformed for ultimate comfort city transport -introducing the e-NV200 concept for VIPs. - Luxuriously appointed 100% electric for downtown VIP passenger shuttle - Two-tone metallic blue exterior and white leather seats - Limousine-like space and 21.5-inch monitor with digital device connectivity - Smart Rear-View mirror providing clear rearward visibility in all conditions Hannover, Germany (23rd September, 2014) Fresh from launching the game-changing 100% electric Nissan e-NV200 compact van, the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer has created a new zero emission concept for VIP transportation - the Nissan e-NV200 VIP Concept. Designers have upgraded the all-electric e-NV200 Evalia people carrier into a zero emission van perfect as shuttle transport for VIPs. The benefit of being zero emission means that the van can access all current and future clean air zones, as well as drive inside buildings, for the ultimate in discreet convenience. Behind the spectacular two-tone exterior lies a sophisticated and luxurious interior. The seats are covered in premium quality white leather with blue accents, which contrast with the predominantly black lower portion of the cabin - the trim and carpets are black with a piano black finish on the control surfaces.