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Nissan Plans Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle in U.S.

11 August 1999

Nissan Plans Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle in U.S.: Emits Fewer Emissions Than a Parked Vehicle

          Engine in 2000 Sentra First in World to Meet SULEV Levels

    CARSON, Calif., Aug. 10 -- Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA)
today announced it has begun the final process of gaining California Air
Resources Board (CARB) certification for the world's first gasoline-fueled,
super ultra low emission vehicle (SULEV) for the 2000 model year.  The
vehicle, a 1.8-liter version of the all-new 2000 Sentra compact sedan, will be
unveiled officially at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit
in January.
    The SULEV version of the Sentra is expected to emit about one-fourth of
the unburned hydrocarbon and one-tenth of the oxides of nitrogen (NOx)
emissions of the cleanest gasoline-powered car sold now in California.
Unburned hydrocarbons and NOx in combination with sunlight result in a complex
set of chemical reactions which form smog.
    And in a major development, Nissan said the SULEV Sentra will eliminate
all evaporative emissions, or the emission of raw hydrocarbon gasoline vapors
given off from a vehicle's fuel system.  Nissan would be the first automaker
to be certified to CARB's zero evaporative emission standard.
    "As a point of comparison, a person will be able to drive this new 2000
model Sentra with the 1.8-liter engine 10 miles to work, return home and have
the vehicle emit less than a typical new car parked in a driveway all day with
its engine shut off," said Robert S. Strassburger, NNA director for government
and technical affairs.
    "This vehicle will be available in the California market, and will be the
cleanest gasoline-powered passenger vehicle for sale in that
environmentally-conscious state," said Jason Vines, NNA vice president for
external affairs.  "If U.S. gasoline supplies met California's strict fuel
sulfur limits, it would help clear the way for vehicles like the SULEV version
of the Sentra and those powered by direct-injection to be offered nationwide."
    Production of the SULEV Sentra is scheduled to begin in February.  Full
details about the engine technology will be provided once Nissan has obtained
final CARB certification for this significant advancement in gasoline-powered
vehicles.  Nissan hopes to announce CARB certification this fall, Vines said.
    Development of the SULEV Sentra is the latest in Nissan's long history of
environmentally significant accomplishments.  In September 1997, Nissan was
the first automaker to receive the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's
"Best of the Best" award for efforts to protect the stratospheric ozone layer.
In addition, Nissan was among the first auto manufacturers to eliminate the
use of chlorofluorocarbons in its vehicle air conditioning systems and in its
manufacturing processes.
    In Japan, Nissan has introduced vehicles powered by direct-injection
gasoline engines.  These vehicles emit far less potentially harmful materials
yet maintain high power and improved mileage ratings.
    In North America, Nissan's operations include styling, engineering,
consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and
manufacturing.  Nissan in North America, which includes employees and
facilities in the United States, Canada and Mexico, generates more than
70,000 jobs, approximately 12,000 directly and 58,000 through more than
1,250 Nissan and Infiniti retailers across the continent.  More information on
Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles
can be found online at http://www.nissandriven.com or contact the corporate media
line at 310-771-5631.
    For a sneak peak at the 2000 Sentra visit the Nissan Online News Bureau at
http://www.nissannews.com.