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Nissan Unveils Concept SUV at California Fuel Cell Partnership Grand Opening

1 November 2000

Nissan Unveils Concept SUV at California Fuel Cell Partnership Grand Opening

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., Nov. 1 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.,
unveiled its initial concept for a fuel cell-powered electric Xterra sport
utility vehicle today during the grand opening ceremony of the California Fuel
Cell Partnership (CaFCP) headquarters' facility in West Sacramento, CA.
    Nissan is currently developing a direct hydrogen fuel cell vehicle (FCV)
based on the Xterra, a very popular compact sport utility vehicle.  This is a
classification offered by no other manufacturer at this time.  Although using
a larger vehicle such as the Xterra could mean a higher level of fuel
consumption, the level of Carbon Monoxide (CO2) emissions will be
significantly reduced compared to smaller vehicles utilizing an internal
combustion engine.
    Nissan has been developing fuel cell technology since the 1970's and began
test drives last May in Japan of an FCV equipped with a methanol reformer to
generate hydrogen from methanol as the fuel.  The Xterra-FCV adopts our
original management system, which includes energy, thermal, and water
management systems.  These management systems are based on a long history of
fuel cell technology development as well as actual driving tests of the
methanol-FCV.  The Xterra-FCV also adopts a high-efficiency neodymium magnet
synchronous traction motor combined with a compact and high performance
lithium-ion battery.  These technologies have already been commercialized in
the Nissan Altra EV, Hypermini, and Tino Hybrid.
    Nissan joined the CaFCP in March 2000 and plans to begin fleet testing of
the Xterra-FCV under the partnership in 2001.  The partnership is a voluntary
effort to advance a new automobile technology that could move the world toward
practical and affordable environmental solutions.  By demonstrating fuel
cell-powered electric vehicles under real day-to-day driving conditions, the
partnership will focus on raising consumer awareness and explore the path to
commercialization of fuel cell technology.
    In addition to fuel cell vehicle development, Nissan has a long history of
environmental accomplishments.  Nissan's most recent and notable activities in
this regard include:

    -- The first automobile manufacturer in the U.S. and Canada to install the
       equipment for recovery and recycling of chlorofluorocarbons (CFC-12)
       and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC-134a) refrigerants mandatory at all of its
       dealerships.

    -- Among the first automakers worldwide to eliminate the use of CFCs as a
       foaming and cleaning agent in manufacturing processes.

    -- Nissan was the only automaker to receive the EPA's "Best of the Best"
       award for protecting the stratospheric ozone layer.

    -- Nissan is curbing HFC emissions in Japan where there is no government
       regulation regarding HFCs.

    -- The first automobile manufacturer in the world to introduce a
       powertrain system combining direct-injection gasoline (DiG) engine with
       a continuously variable transmission (CVT).  These vehicles emit far
       less pollution yet maintain high power and improved mileage ratings of
       50 percent.  The DiG-CVT technology was honored with the Energy
       Conservation Prize from the director general of Japan's Agency of
       Natural Resources and Energy.

    -- Nissan was the only automaker to receive the prestigious 1999 Climate
       Protection Award from the United States Environmental Protection
       Agency.  Nissan received the award for its aggressive steps to address
       global warming, to reduce hydrofluorocarbons and to improve fuel
       economy in Nissan and Infiniti vehicles.

    -- Development of a gasoline-fueled 2000 model year Sentra CA (for "clean
       air") which emits about one-fourth of the unburned hydrocarbon and
       one-tenth of the oxides of nitrogen and is the world's cleanest
       gasoline-powered car.

    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing.  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.