| Nissan Motor Co. earlier announced that early next | | | | to the environment. |
| decade it will be introducing fuel-cell technology for the | | | | Shiga added that the company intends to concentrate |
| vehicles in Japan and North America. This new | | | | on the internal combustion engine as Nissan's primary |
| venture by the automaker is part of its midterm | | | | power source. The automaker also intends to improve |
| environmental strategy dubbed as “Nissan Green | | | | engine efficiency to blend well with Nissan accessories. |
| Program 2010." | | | | In addition, Mitsuhiko Yamashita, Nissan’s executive |
| Toshiyuki Shiga, Nissan chief operating officer said that | | | | vice president for research and development said, "To |
| the company will introduce gasoline engine | | | | develop vehicles that are truly environmentally friendly, |
| technologies that will enhance fuel economy and at the | | | | we need to make significant advances in internal |
| same time reduce carbon dioxide emissions equivalent | | | | combustion technology while working on electrical |
| to diesel engine levels. These car technologies will be | | | | power sources in parallel." |
| introduced to the automotive market starting from the | | | | Shiga further noted that Nissan intends to develop a |
| fiscal year 2010. | | | | "three-liter car," which can travel 100 kilometers or 60 |
| Nissan will also unveil new fuel-cell vehicle with | | | | miles using 3 liters or about 3 quarts of gasoline. This |
| sophisticated fuel stack. Said vehicle will be produced | | | | car is expected to be introduced to the auto industry in |
| in-house after 2010. Shiga divulged that this new | | | | 2010. |
| vehicle is aimed at showcasing performance on par | | | | Carlos Tavarez, Nissan's executive vice president for |
| with gasoline-power automobiles. | | | | product planning and corporate strategy said, “If |
| A fuel cell is an electrochemical energy conversion | | | | you have to compensate for the cost of new |
| device. It differs from batteries in the sense that the | | | | technologies, you’ll find that (gasoline) is very high |
| latter are intended for incessant replenishment of the | | | | performance for small cars in terms of balancing the |
| reactants consumed. Further, fuel cells generate | | | | costs for the customer in terms of fuel efficiency. You |
| electricity from an external supply of fuel and oxidant | | | | get high performance and low mileage." |
| unlike batteries which have limited internal energy | | | | The automaker will also unleash a 100% bioethanol |
| storage capacity. Additionally, fuel cell automobiles run | | | | fuel-ready vehicle intended for the Brazilian market by |
| on the power generated when oxygen in the air mixes | | | | 2009. It will also introduce an electric vehicle starting in |
| with hydrogen in the fuel tank. Moreover, the | | | | Japan early next decade. |
| technology produces water vapor, which is not harmful | | | | |