09.29.2011
, MEXICO CITY, Mexico
Nissan Mexicana delivers the first Nissan LEAF vehicles to Mexico City Government
- A total of 100 units to be delivered as part of the Taxis Cero Emisiones program
- The first charging station for the zero-emissions Nissan LEAF to initiate operations
Nissan Mexicana announced that history is being made with the delivery of the first Nissan LEAF units — the 100% electric vehicle with zero emissions and no tailpipe. The Nissan LEAF models were presented to the Mexico City Government under the definitive agreement signed last November 2010 as part of the World Mayors Summit on Climate.
José Muñoz, Nissan Mexicana President and General Manager, delivered the first three Nissan LEAF vehicles to Marcelo Ebrard, Mexico City Mayor, in advance of a total 100 units to be delivered starting this month and as part of a pilot program titled Taxis Cero Emisiones (Zero Emissions Taxis) to be implemented throughout the city.
Event attendees included Martha Delgado Peralta, Mexico City’s Environment Secretary; Dr. Alejandra Moreno Toscano, a high authority of the Mexico City Historical Center; Dr. Jaime Arceo Castro, Mexico City Government Coordinator for Efficient Use of Energy; Armando Quintero, Transportation and Highways Secretary; and Gabriela Hernández, President of General Electric México.
Considering that a taxi with a conventional internal combustion engine covers close to 300 kms. per day, it is estimated that with the substitution of these 100 Nissan LEAF electric models, around five tons of CO2 will cease to be released into the atmosphere every day, with these 100% electric, zero emissions, without pipeline vehicles that don’t use gasoline.
Nissan LEAF is a five-passenger vehicle capable of a 160km range, with performance similar to a six-cylinder engine vehicle. Its torque of 207 lb-ft, is directly transmitted to 100% of the high response 80kW electric motor and the front wheels, with an initial zero revolutions per minute, for immediate response.
The car consumes an approximate $0.23 pesos per Km (as per current electricity costs), and as reference, when compared to a conventional gasoline powered vehicle, Nissan LEAF’s performance would be equivalent to 42 Km/l.
Nissan LEAF has been very well received by industry critics and is listed as one of Time Magazine’s 50 Best Inventions of 2009 awarded in November of that year, and has received significant honors including: Good Design Award 2010 BEST15, presented by the Organization for Promotion of Industrial Design in Japan in September 2010; Best for the Environment, in November 2010, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); European Auto of the Year 2011 (November 2010), by a jury of 57 leading automotive journalists from 23 European countries; and was voted World Car of the Year at the New York Auto Show in April 2011.
According to a recently announced global business plan – Nissan Power 88 – the company aims to further consolidate its leadership in zero-emission vehicles by offering seven completely electric vehicles between now and 2016, and to continue with the successful introduction of Nissan LEAF. The range of electric vehicles will include light commercial vehicles and a premium all-electric car to be launched by Infiniti in 2014.
“Our corporate vision is that we are before the dawn of a new era in the global automotive industry and we leading the way towards zero-emissions mobility on a mass scale in the market. With Nissan LEAF, this era of zero-emission mobility becomes a reality,” said Jose Muñoz, President and General Manager of Nissan Mexicana, and added, “we express our gratitude to the Mexico City Government, headed by Mr. Marcelo Ebrard, and the Department of the Environment for Mexico City, led by Ms. Martha Delgado, and Dr. Jaime Arceo, Coordinator of Energy Efficiency for the Mexico City Government, as well as to all government officials who have participated, for their support and work towards this particular green initiative taking place in Mexico City.”
The agreement with Mexico City Government authorities includes all necessary infrastructure required for the comprehensive system of electric vehicles, such as the installation of recharging stations.
The delivery of the first three Nissan LEAF units also marks the start of operations of the first charging station in Mexico City, with equipment provided by General Electric. The station is located, in historic downtown Mexico City, and will serve as first facility to supply power to electric vehicles in this area of the city.
About Nissan Mexicana
Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. is a subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., established in Mexico in September 1961. The company has corporate, marketing, sales, manufacturing, distribution, and design facilities in cities of Aguascalientes, Distrito Federal, Cuernavaca, and Toluca. 2011 marks the 50th Anniversary of operations in Mexico, where Nissan is a proud sponsor of the Guadalajara 2011 XVI Pan American Games. Nissan Mexicana currently employs over 10,400 workers and employees. In 2010, the company recorded sales of 189,518 in Mexico, and registered a 23.1% market share (2.4 pp more than in 2009), with a production of 506,490 units for the domestic and export markets. In 2011, and through the month of August, the company has sold 136,426 vehicles, with a market penetration of 24.5% producing 382,250 units. Nissan is focused on improving the environment with the Nissan Green Program 2010, an initiative that includes reducing CO2 emissions and increasing recycling efforts. Moreover, the company’s foundation, Fundación ANDANAC/Nissan manages a Social Support Fund for the construction of public elementary schools. Over the course of eight years, the organization has built and equipped 63 schools to benefit more than 30,000 disadvantaged children throughout the country.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company in terms of volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.1 million vehicles in 2010, generating revenue of ¥8.77 trillion yen ($102.37 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for everyone, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international wards, including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year and 2011 World Car of the Year. For more information, visit our website at: http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
Media Contact:
comunicacioncorporativa@nissan.com.mx