Volkswagen‘s Chattanooga manufacturing plant has become the first and only automotive manufacturing facility in the world to receive a Platinum certification from the US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). From the onset, Volkswagen had designed their Chattanooga plant, where their popular Passat is produced, to be as green as possible and now they have something to show for it.

From the ground up, VW integrated various energy-saving technology into the plant, with its ultra-clean paint shop saving 50-million gallons of water in ten  years. Other features of the plant include superior insulation provided by six-inches of mineral rock wool that results in saving 720,000-kilowatts per year; green power from the local hydroelectric dam; LED lighting on the exterior results in 68-percent less energy used; rainwater is collected and reused to flush toilets and cool welding machines; the plant’s white roof membrane is highly reflective and helps minimize heat island effect by up to 50-degrees Fahrenheit; natural flowing creeks capture heavy rains and restore a natural habitat; low-flow water fixtures and no-touch sensors throughout the plant reduce water usage by 30-percent; and lastly, the plant was built on brownfield property with no destruction of untouched nature.

Infiniti has embarked on a one-off project, donating a 5.6-liter 400-hp engine from the full-size Qx56, to help students from a local community college build a luxurious boat.

Infiniti engineers are working with a team of automotive technical training program students from Tennessee Technical Center-Nashville and Nashville State Community College on the project.

The Infiniti boat project is well underway after the team extracted the QX engine and prepped it for marine use. “The genesis for the Infiniti QX-powered luxury boat project came about when a group of us were talking about our full-size SUV’s standing as the perfect luxury tow vehicle – capable of carrying tons of weight, and lots of people and their cargo, in style,” said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore.”

“It’s great to involve students from the local community in this project, especially since Infiniti QX engines are manufactured in nearby Decherd, Tennessee,” added Poore. “It’s our hope that someday students in these automotive programs who will learn from the Infiniti QX we donated to the Technical Center will go on to work at our company or Infiniti retailers’ service departments.”

Nissan has confirmed today, that starting in early 2013, the electric motor for the Nissan Leaf will be produced at the Decherd, Tennessee powertrain assembly plant.

Prepping the plant for the electric motor production has been facilitated by U.S Department of Energy Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program loan funds. The Leaf motor will also create 90 new jobs and when the new assembly line is completed, the plant will have the capacity to produce up to 150,000 electric motors annually for the Nissan Leaf.

“Nissan’s Tennessee operations are paving the way to a zero-emission future for everyone,” said Bill Krueger, vice chairman of Nissan Americas. “By delivering motors for the first mass-produced electric vehicles manufactured in the United States, our Decherd plant will play a vital role in making zero-emission mobility a reality for American consumers.”

Volkswagen finally opened up their new factory in Chattanooga, Tennessee, which will employ 2,000 Americans and build up to 150,000 vehicles per year.

VW Chairman Dr. Martin Winterkorn and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood were present to inaugurate the factory, as well as the governor of Tennessee and the Germany’s ambassador to the United States. The plant broke ground in 2009 and meets the latest Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards for environmental friendliness, including waterless auto painting, energy-efficient LED lighting, and rainwater collection. VW claims that the plant uses 20 percent less energy than a similarly-sized factory.

The plant will primarily build the Passat for US-specific consumption.

Volkswagen‘s new Chattanooga, Tennessee plant built its first car destined for a customer Wednesday, a dark Blue Passat 2.5L equipped with an automatic transmission.

The plant should reach full capacity in 2012, at which point it will produce 150,000 Passats annually. Volkswagen says that the plant will generate $12 billion in economic growth for the region, and 9,500 jobs related to the plant. Speaking to an assembled crowd, Volkswagen Chattanooga CEO Frank Fischer said “It has been an exciting challenge for all of us to build a new vehicle and a new plant at the same time, all while establishing new suppliers; but our team members have overcome those hurdles with a passion for details that has produced automotive excellence.”

Nissan‘s Leaf electric car has been in such high demand that the company is struggling to build them fast enough. It’s stopped taking new orders just to fulfill its current demand.

Out of 27,000 total orders so far from the United States, Japan, and Europe, it has only completed 10,000. The remaining 17,000 will be pushed back to the next fiscal year in April—enough time for the Oppama, Japan plant to reach its maximum capacity. It will be able to build 50,000 Leafs by then, and would be able to take 33,000 more orders from those clamoring to ride the lightning.

Nissan wants to get their international factories going to fulfill demand, which could see the electric car built in England as well as Tennessee. One possibility could be to open new assembly lines earlier than scheduled, but Nissan is also planning a new factory that can churn out lithium-ion battery packs, which won’t be ready if they do so.

[Source: Automotive News via Carscoop]

General Motors, recently announced that is preparing to invest $483 million and create 483 new jobs at it’s Spring Hill, Tennesse Powertrain complex, which currently builds Ecotec four-cylinder engines. Providing that state and local officials are in agreement, the investment should provide a major shot in the arm for the General, the Spring Hill area and also the United Auto Workers’ union, since the new jobs will be filled by workers laid off, in accordance with the UAW/GM National Labor agreement.

According to Mark Reuss; GM North America President; “The engines made in Spring Hill will drive the success of GM to meet our customer demands for advanced powertrains which offer high fuel economy without sacrificing performance.” He went on to say that, “this new commitment to the Spring Hill team will help GM almost triple its North American production volume of four-cylinder engines with direct injection by 2012.”

Included in the announced spending package is $23 million that will be used to add 30 hourly jobs in response to increased production of current generation Ecotec engines, beginning in the first quarter of 2011. The rest of the money and jobs are planned for development and production of the next generation of Ecotec engines, which are said to be significantly more efficient than those currently available in vehicles such as the Chevy Equinox, GMC Terrain, Buick LaCrosse and Regal.

When Volkswagen’s new mid-sized sedan arrives in 2011, there is a strong possibility that it will replace, rather than join the Passat, in the German automaker’s lineup. VW Group of America CEO Stefan Jacoby has said that the company is currently studying whether or not to keep the Passat, but all evidence points to its elimination.

Volkswagen has big plans to take on Toyota in the U.S. marketplace and to do so the company has finally admitted that its current lineup of European vehicles are just too small and too expensive for mainstream American tastes. That being said, if sales of the Passat are already not that great, offering a larger and less expensive vehicle certainly won’t help the car’s business case.

Last year VW sold just 30,034 Passat models, compared to a high of 96,142 in 2002. Sales for 2009 look even worse as the automaker has only managed to move 9,163, units so far. Volkswagen hopes to sell 100,000 units of the new mid-sized sedan initially with plans for increased market presence thereafter.

Currently the Passat sells from $27,695, while this new sedan is expected to be priced much closer to the $20,000-mark. The lower price comes as a result of the fact that VW will build the car in the U.S., at its Chattanooga, Tennessee plant.

[Source: AutoWeek]

While news and photos of the Nissan Leaf have been around for several months now, the electric car will get its official debut at the Tokyo Auto Show on October 21st. Nissan describes its functional five-door, five-seater compact hatchback as having a “high-performance, zero-emission” powertrain.

Output from the lithium-ion battery packs is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers.

The fully-electric Leaf, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. next year, will be priced from $25,000 to $33,000.  Initially, 5,000 vehicles will be available in five U.S. markets: the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Fleet sales will also be offered in 2010, while full retails sales are planned for 2012.

Ahead of its official debut, Nissan also released a full gallery of new photos of the Leaf (including numerous interior shots), so be sure to check them out below.

GALLERY: Nissan Leaf

The fully-electric Nissan LEAF, which is set to go on sale in the U.S. next year, will be priced from $25,000 to $33,000. Word comes from Nissan North America product VP Larry Dominique.

“Competitive pricing is going to allow mass-market appeal, which is going to set Nissan apart,” said Dominique, commenting that the LEAF will be less expensive to own and operate than a gasoline car, even if gas cost just $1.10 a gallon.

Importantly, this price comes before any government tax incentives, which are certain to reduce the total cost by several thousand dollars.

Comparatively, the 2010 Toyota Prius starts at just $22,000.

The LEAF is powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery packs. Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers.

Output from the lithium-ion battery packs is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Sales of the LEAF will begin next year with 5,000 vehicles available in five U.S. markets: the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee. Fleet sales will also be offered in 2010, while full retails sales are planned for 2012.

[Source: Automotive News]

Before sales of Nissan’s new electric car go full-tilt in the U.S., the Japanese automaker will start with 5,000 units in five different markets. The targeted areas include the Phoenix-Tucson region of Arizona, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and Tennessee.

Nissan’s product planning boss Mark Perry says that this is just the first step in a larger plan.“This is not a test to determine whether or not it’s going to work. This is the beginning of mass marketing,” he said.

Full retail sales are planned for 2012, but Perry says they will begin sooner if a market has the infrastructure ready to support the vehicles. Nissan also plans to offer the LEAF for fleet sales in 2010.

An infrastructure network of 12,500 recharging stations will be built throughout the five markets by Phoenix-based Electric Transportation Engineering Corp., which has received a $99.8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. An additional $199.6 million necessary to built the infrastructure will come from the individual cities and states.

Owners of the first 5,000 cars will be able to purchase the at Nissan dealers but will have to sign on to allow Nissan to monitor the car’s performance over the first two years. Nissan says it wants to see how electric vehicle recharging habits play out in the real world. Owners will also be “chosen” by Nissan as the automaker wants to make sure the information it obtains is relevant. “We don’t want these first cars going to somebody who commutes 150 miles a day or who lives a great distance from a recharging station,” he said.

As for the price, Nissan hasn’t release specifics but did say that it would be comparable to a fully-loaded compact car.

[Source: Automotive News]

Nissan has just unveiled a new zero emissions vehicle that is slated to go on sale in Japan, Europe and the United States next year. Called the LEAF, this C-segment (sub-compact) car is powered by an electric motor and lithium-ion battery packs. Nissan says it will be able to drive 100 miles on a single charge. The batteries will be able to be charged up to 80 percent in less than 30 minutes with a special quick charger, or in roughly eight hours through a standard 200V outlet. Nissan says that through extensive research the 100 mile range will be suitable for 70 percent of car buyers.

Output from the lithium-ion battery packs is rated at 80kW/280Nm, (107-hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque), which should make this sub-compact a sporty little car.

Pricing has yet to be released but Nissan aims to give the LEAF an MSRP competitive with well-equipped C-segment cars. That should put it near the $20,000 mark. The car will also qualify for government rebates and tax incentives desigend to help promote the sale of fuel-efficient cars.

“Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-sized, practical EV that motorists could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said the LEAF product boss Masato Inoue.

The first LEAFs will be built at Nissan’s plant in Oppama, Japan with plans to also start production soon at the company’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant. The LEAF is the first of three electric vehicles that Nissan plans to launch in the next few years.

 ”The Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in with all Nissan employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President Carlos Ghosn. “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality – the unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – emissions. It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.”

GALLERY: 2010 Nissan LEAF

Official release after the jump:

NISSAN UNVEILS “LEAF” – THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC CAR 

DESIGNED FOR AFFORDABILITY AND REAL-WORLD 

REQUIREMENTS 

Event ushers in a new era for Nissan and a new era for mobility 

YOKOHAMA - 

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled Nissan LEAF, the world’s first 

affordable, zero-emission car.  Designed specifically for a lithium-ion battery- 

powered chassis, Nissan LEAF is a medium-size hatchback that comfortably 

seats five adults and has a range of more than 160km (100 miles) to satisfy 

real-world consumer requirements. 

NISSAN LEAF 

Slated for launch in late 2010 in Japan, the United States, and Europe, Nissan 

LEAF ushers in a new era of mobility – the zero-emission era.  The car is the 

embodiment of Nissan’s radical, transformative vision for the future and the 

culmination of decades of investment and research. 

“Nissan LEAF is a tremendous accomplishment – one in which all Nissan 

employees can take great pride,” said Nissan President and CEO Carlos 

Ghosn.  “We have been working tirelessly to make this day a reality –  the 

unveiling of a real-world car that has zero – not simply reduced – 

emissions.  It’s the first step in what is sure to be an exciting journey – for 

people all over the world, for Nissan and for the industry.” 

Key characteristics of the LEAF include: 

1.Zero-emission power train and platform 

2.Affordable pricing 

3.Distinctive design 

4.Real-world range autonomy – 160km (100 miles) 

5.Connected Mobility: Advanced intelligent transportation (IT) system 

The “LEAF” name is a significant statement about the car itself.  Just as 

leaves purify the air in nature, so Nissan LEAF purifies mobility by taking 

emissions out of the driving experience.  Pricing details will be announced 

closer to start of sales in late 2010; however, the company expects the car to 

be competitively priced in the range of a well-equipped C-segment 

vehicle.  Additionally, Nissan LEAF is expected to qualify for an array of 

significant local, regional and national tax breaks and incentives in markets 

around the world.  As an added benefit, because the vehicle has less 

mechanical complexity than a traditional gasoline-powered car, Nissan LEAF 

is designed to be friendly to the wallet as well as to the environment. 

ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY 

Nissan LEAF is powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, which 

generate power output of over 90kW, while its electric motor delivers 

80kW/280Nm.  This ensures a highly responsive, fun-to-drive experience that 

is in keeping with what consumers have come to expect from traditional, 

gasoline-powered automobiles. 

Unlike internal-combustion engine (ICE) equipped vehicles, Nissan LEAF’s 

power train has no tail pipe, and thus no emission of CO2 or other greenhouse 

gases.  A combination of Nissan LEAF’s regenerative braking system and 

innovative lithium-ion battery packs enables the car to deliver a driving range 

of more than 160km (100 miles) on one full charge*.  (*US LA4 mode) 

Extensive consumer research demonstrates that this range satisfies the daily 

driving requirements of more than 70% of the world’s consumers who drive 

cars. 

And, Nissan’s approach makes charging easy and convenient.  Nissan LEAF 

can be charged up to 80% of its full capacity in just under 30 minutes with a 

quick charger.  Charging at home through a 200V outlet is estimated to take 

approximately eight hours – ample time to enable an overnight refresh for 

consumer and car alike. 

REAL-WORLD CAR 

The engineers and designers behind Nissan LEAF worked to create a 

competitively priced real-world car that would enable Nissan to lead mobility 

into the zero-emission era.  To ensure comfort, spaciousness and cargo 

capacity, Nissan LEAF employs a completely new chassis and body layout. 

”Our car had to be the world’s first, medium-size, practical EV that motorists 

could afford and would want to use every day. And that’s what we’ve 

created. The styling will identify not only Nissan LEAF but also the owner as a 

participant in the new era of zero-emission mobility,” said Masato INOUE, 

Product Chief Designer. 

DISTINCTIVE DESIGN 

Even the smallest details can yield tremendous effect. 

Nissan LEAF’s frontal styling is characterized by a sharp, upright V-shaped 

design featuring long, up-slanting light-emitting diode (LED) headlights that 

employ a blue internal reflective design that announces, “This car is 

special.”  But the headlights do more than make a statement.  They are also 

designed to cleverly split and redirect airflow away from the door mirrors, thus 

reducing wind noise and drag.  And, the headlights provide yet one more 

benefit in that they consume just 10 percent of the electricity of conventional 

lamps, which helps Nissan LEAF to achieve its world-class range autonomy. 

Through bright trim colors inside, Nissan LEAF creates a pleasing and stylish 

cabin environment.  An environmentally friendly “blue earth” color theme 

originates from the Aqua Globe body color of Nissan LEAF’s introductory 

model.  This theme is carried into the interior through blue dashboard 

highlights and instrument illumination. 

CONNECTED MOBILITY IT SYSTEM 

Nissan LEAF employs an exclusive advanced IT system.  Connected to a 

global data center, the system can provide support, information, and 

entertainment for drivers 24 hours a day. 

The dash-mounted monitor displays Nissan LEAF’s remaining power – or 

“reachable area” – in addition to showing a selection of nearby charging 

stations.

Another state-of-the-art feature is the ability to use mobile phones to turn on 

air-conditioning and set charging functions – even when Nissan LEAF is 

powered down.  An on-board remote-controlled timer can also be pre- 

programmed to recharge batteries. 

“The IT system is a critical advantage,” says Tooru ABE, Chief Product 

Specialist. “We wanted this vehicle to be a partner for the driver and an 

enhancement for the passengers.  We also  wanted this vehicle to help create 

a zero-emission community, and these IT features will help make that 

possible.” 

HOLISTIC APPROACH TO ZERO-EMISSION MOBILITY AND ECO- 

FRIENDLY INNOVATION 

Nissan LEAF is a critical first step in establishing the era of zero-emission 

mobility; however, Nissan recognizes that internal-combustion engine (ICE) 

technologies will play a vital role in global transportation for decades to 

come.  Because of this, Nissan is implementing its zero-emission vision 

through a holistic approach, which provides consumers a comprehensive 

range of eco-friendly technologies from which to choose. 

For some consumers, Nissan LEAF will be the perfect match, and the only car 

they will ever need.  For others, Nissan LEAF will be a logical addition to the 

family fleet –  the optimal choice for the daily commute, for example. 

While zero-emission is the ultimate goal, the company is committed to ongoing 

innovation in eco-friendly technologies that increase efficiency and reduce 

emissions.  As a result, Nissan offers a comprehensive suite of automotive 

technologies, including CVT, Idle Stop, HEV, Clean Diesel, and ongoing 

research and investment in FCV technology. 

WORLDWIDE PARTNERS 

Zero-emission mobility programs under the banner of the Renault-Nissan 

Alliance include partnerships with countries such as the UK and Portugal, local 

governments in the Japan and the USA, and other sectors, for a total of nearly 

30 partnerships worldwide. 

In these partnerships major efforts focus on three areas:  

1.Development of a comprehensive charging infrastructure through public 

and private investment, 

2.Incentives and subsidies from local, regional, and national governments, 

and 

3.Public education on the individual and societal benefits of zero- 

emissions mobility. 

ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLE PRODUCTION 

Nissan LEAF is the first in the company’s forthcoming line of EVs and is a 

major milestone in the realization of the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s vision for 

zero-emission mobility.  The first of Nissan’s EV’s will be manufactured at 

Oppama, Japan, with additional capacity planned for Smyrna, Tennessee, 

USA.  Meanwhile, lithium-ion batteries are being produced in Zama, Japan, 

with additional capacity planned for the USA, the UK and Portugal, and other 

sites for investment are under study around the world. 

ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD. 

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. is a global automotive company with vehicle sales of 

3.411 million in 2008.  Nissan is present in all major auto markets worldwide, 

selling a comprehensive range of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, and light 

commerical vehicles. 

NISSAN BLUE CITIZENSHIP 

Nissan is committed to making a better world through its commitment to 

corporate social responsibility.  This includes programs that focus on 

technological innovations that focus on people and care for the planet.  Our 

vision for zero-emission mobility is an outgrowth of our CSR approach, which 

we call Blue Citizenship.  Together, we are working with our Alliance partner, 

Renault, to make a better world through zero-emission mobility. 

For more information, please visit the Nissan Zero-Emission website: 

http://www.nissan-zeroemission.com