Nissan To Launch Diesel Full-Size Pickup In U.S.

The Nissan Motor Co. is preparing to launch aThe pickup went on sale in April. Since its launch in the
diesel-powered version of its Titan full-size pickup insegment, the Titan has been facing stiffer competition
the United States. The pickup is expected to befrom the Toyota Motor Corp.'s remodeled Tundra,
released by 2009.which the automaker has called its most important
Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun, a Japanese industrial daily,product launch to date. Toyota has hinted that it would
reported Friday that the Titan's engine will be built byeventually offer a gasoline-electric hybrid version of
local truck and engine manufacturer Navistarthe Tundra.
International Corp. International Truck and Engine Corp.,The Titan comes in three basic trim levels: the XE, SE,
Navistar's principal operating company, is the exclusiveand the LE. The Titan features the refined Nissan
supplier of diesel engines to Ford's Super Duty pickups.radiator, navigation system, DVD player with screen,
Navistar spokesman Roy Wiley would not verify orside airbags, off-road package, traction control, sunroof,
deny the report, but the company has been working tobig tow package with transmission temperature gauge,
sell its medium-duty diesel engines to otherSirius satellite radio, XM satellite radio, leather split
automakers.power bench seat, utili-Track bed rail system, lockable
To note, the third largest Japanese automaker, held 44bedside, storage box, power adjustable pedals,
percent by Renault SA, has no diesel product line inautomatic windows down with key fob, and the
America. The decision of the automaker is anchoredsophisticated 32 valve 5.6 L VK56DE V8 engine that
on the growing demand for fuel-efficient powertrain.produces 305 horsepower and 379 pound feet of
The powertrain is usually integrated to commercialtorque at 3600 rpm.
vehicles like large pickup trucks. Hence, the JapaneseThe U.S. pickup market is dominated by the Ford
automaker is introducing the diesel-powered Titan toMotor Co.'s F-Series and General Motors Corp.'s
meet the needs of Americans at the same time toChevy Silverado, the two best-selling vehicles around
promote cleaner environment. Meanwhile, athe globe. Now, foreign automakers are trying to
spokeswoman at Nissan said that the company couldinvade the lucrative segment to steal a hefty slice of
not comment on future product plans.the realm.
The Japanese automaker launched the Titan, its firstNissan is due to launch a diesel version of its Maxima
and only full-size pickup, in 2004 hoping to find a nichein the U.S. in 2010. The engines of the sedan will be
in the lucrative segment. Unfortunately, sales haveproduced by Renault. The current Maxima features
failed to live up to the company's expectations. Lastthe standard Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable
month, the automaker sold 4,899 Titans and thatTransmission) which is likened to that of the Nissan
number is down by 18 percent from the year before.Murano, a freshened grill that resembles Altima's, and
So far this year, sales dropped 15 percent at 28,668more rounded headlights. The Maxima engine has
units. As of March, the heavy duty version of the Titaninternal chains for the twin overhead cams. This
has been put on hold.eliminates the need for regular timing belt replacement.
The 2008 Titan model will add an optional seven-footIn other markets, the Maxima is also known as the
long bed to the crew cab and an optional eight-footCefiro or the Laurel. The sedan's direct rivals are the
long bed to the king cab. The king cab Titan with theHonda Accord, Toyota Camry, Hyundai Sonata or
long bed will come with a larger 37-gallon fuel tank.Hyundai Azera, Chevrolet Impala and the Ford Five
The five-speed transmission and 5.6L V8 will remainHundred.
standard equipment on all Titans.