The 100 percent electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF has commenced production aiming to be on sale in December.

With initial sales in Japan and the United States – Europe will begin sales from early 2011 of the new Nissan manufactured in Zama, Japan as a joint-venture between Nissan Motor Co., Ltd and NEC Corporation.

The environmentally friendly car is constructed with new age automotive car parts including four battery cells and is the first of its kind produced for the Renault-Nissan Alliance.

The Alliance has so far signed 80 partnership deals for zero-emission mobility with various organisations and governments worldwide to help boost the new environmentally clean form of driving.

“This is a significant milestone, not only for Nissan and the Renault-Nissan Alliance, but also for the entire automotive industry,” said Carlos Ghosn, Nissan president and CEO.

“Consumers are clear.  They want sustainable and affordable mobility – and the Alliance is leading the way with cars that deliver exactly that, with the reliability, excitement and performance that consumers demand.”

Powered by laminated compact lithium-ion batteries, these generate a power output of over 90 kW and at the same time the electric motor delivers 80kW/280 Nm.

Additionally the LEAF’s power train has no tail pipe and so does not emit any CO2 or other harmful greenhouse gases.

Charging the car’s battery will take only 30 minutes to reach full capacity with a quick charger while charging at home through a 200V outlet will take about eight hours which is aimed at overnight periods.

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Nissan has announced details of its new Pathfinder and Navara 4X4 models.

The Japanese manufacturer’s Navara Acenta King Cab will cost £19,807, while the Navara Tekna, available only in Double Cab form, will cost from £24,389 for a manual version, while the automatic will cost slightly more at £25,682.

Its Pathfinder Acenta 2.5 dCi 190 model will be available for £28,495, with Tekna models, costing over £30,000, available with either six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic.

Side and curtain airbags, ESP stability control and additional cabin storage now come as standard on the Navara Acenta, while the Navara Tekna features power fold mirrors and MP AUX input.

Additional standard features on the Pathfinder Acenta include a new centre console, and the Pathfinder Tekna now has a satnav infotainment system with a seven-inch colour touch screen.

In January, Nissan saw a 96 per cent year-on-year increase in production, up to 285,986 units.

Nissan has announced details of its new Pathfinder and Navara 4X4 models.

The Japanese manufacturer’s Navara Acenta King Cab will cost £19,807, while the Navara Tekna, available only in Double Cab form, will cost from £24,389 for a manual version, while the automatic will cost slightly more at £25,682.

Its Pathfinder Acenta 2.5 dCi 190 model will be available for £28,495, with Tekna models, costing over £30,000, available with either six-speed manual transmission or five-speed automatic.

Side and curtain airbags, ESP stability control and additional cabin storage now come as standard on the Navara Acenta, while the Navara Tekna features power fold mirrors and MP AUX input.

Additional standard features on the Pathfinder Acenta include a new centre console, and the Pathfinder Tekna now has a satnav infotainment system with a seven-inch colour touch screen.

In January, Nissan saw a 96 per cent year-on-year increase in production, up to 285,986 units.

The new Leaf electric car from Nissan is expected to be a big hit when it is released and the firm is confident that the model will sell out quickly.

Orders started being taken for the environmentally-friendly sedan, which can travel up to 100 miles before requiring a re-charge, last week and the firm believes that interest in the vehicle already bodes well for its future.

Some 6,635 people have registered to purchase the electric car by Saturday (April 24th), which is more than ten per cent of the expected production figures for the first year alone.

Dave Mingle, senior director of customer management and business strategy for Nissan, said: "We had 2,700 reservations in the first three hours. It exceeded what we expected, though we knew from what the hand-raisers were telling us this is an exceptionally passionate crowd."

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association recently said that an increasing number of EU member states are turning to CO2-based taxation or incentives to get more people to take up electric vehicles.

Car manufacturers have suffered from the volcanic eruption in Iceland which has seen flights grounded for several days, Auto Express reports.

The eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, located in the south of the country, has caused chaos for many, and the motor industry has not escaped unscathed.

With flights suspended since last Thursday (15th), some companies have seen their supply of car parts cut off, leading some to announce a halt to production.

Nissan has suspended production of some vehicles in Japan owing to a lack of air pressure sensors, which are manufactured in Ireland, the car news and reviews website said.

Also affected is BMW, which has suffered as a result of stock being grounded in Germany, meaning its Spartanburg plant in the US is running short of suppliers, the site added.

BAA announced this morning (April 21st) that its airports were open, but "it will take some time for flying schedules to return to normal".

Nissan’s new Micra model will be very competitively priced, reports Autocar.co.uk.

The car news provider quoted an unnamed Nissan source as saying the supermini would be "priced to be extremely competitive against the competition".

Having already been tested in Japan, the new model has been developed and built on Nissan’s global V-platform and should be on sale in Europe in the autumn.

"The firm is eager to position its all-new supermini as an affordable choice for new drivers," Autocar.co.uk stated.

When the car goes on sale here, it will offer a choice of two engines – a 79bhp 1.2-litre petrol option, with CO2 emissions of 115g/km, or a 97bhp 1.2-litre direct injection petrol engine, which emits 95g/km of CO2.

Further optional extras include reverse parking sensors, a touch-screen satellite navigation system and speed sensitive audio, the automotive news website added.

British-built Nissan models accounted for 81 per cent of the total car sales for the brand in March this year.

Nissan says global production of its cars is on the increase after announcing positive sales for January.

The Japanese manufacturer saw a 96 per cent year-on-year increase in production, up to 285,986 units.

With output of the new Fuga, Serena and export models all increasing significantly, the firm’s major markets all enjoyed an upturn.

In the US, production was up by 110 per cent year-on-year, while in Japan output increased by more than 83 per cent – with the UK showing a huge upturn, rising by 120 per cent as a result of increased demand for all models.

Global sales were also heartening for the company, increasing 36 per cent to 310,626 units in comparison to last year, heralding an all-time record for the month of January.

The positive news comes against a backdrop of tough times for fellow manufacturer Toyota.

The company, once famed for its quality and safety, is currently facing legal action over suggestions there are problems with a number of different models.

Hyundai has been named as Carmaker of the Year by the leading motor industry publication AM Magazine.

The South Korean manufacturer beat rivals Ford, Land Rover, Jaguar and Kia to take home the coveted award.

It was voted for by a panel of experts including the fortnightly publication’s editor, Jeremy Bennett, who said the brand was "pumping out high quality vehicles" and "selling them at the right price".

Hyundai’s UK managing director, Tony Whitehorn, said the brand has doubled its sales and strengthened its retail network, bringing exciting prospects for the brand in 2010.

It has made some changes to its successful scrappage scheme in 2010 too.

From the beginning of the year until February 28th, Hyundai has been offering additional savings on some models with its Top-up Plus scheme.

This means you could save £1,000 courtesy of the government-funded scheme then a further £1,000 from Hyundai.

Nissan will unveil its all-new Global Compact Car at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, it has been confirmed.

Just a matter of days ago, the Japanese manufacturer announced that it is to use the upcoming Swiss event to launch its new Juke, which it claims effectively combines ‘SUV toughness’ with sporting style.

Now, it has been confirmed that Nissan’s replacement for its Micra will go on show to the world in March, just before it is launched onto the Thai market.

According to the company, the new Global Compact car is the first Nissan model to be built on its new V platform, designed to minimise weight and thereby keep costs and fuel emissions down.

At the same time, Nissan has also revealed that it will be using the opportunity of the Geneva Motor Show to put forward a number of other new models, including its Leaf C-segment car, which boasts a zero carbon emission rate thanks to its all-electric motor, and which is scheduled to be launched in Europe at the end of 2010.

In addition, Nissan’s Qashqai, as well as its Pathfinder and Navara have also been given makeovers, with the results due to be premiered to delegates at the Swiss industry event.

Meanwhile, Nissan is also looking to boost its presence in the Middle Eastern SUV market with the 2011 launch of its new-look Patrol.

Further Nissan car parts will be manufactured at the company’s Sunderland plant after the announcement that Juke, its new model, will be built in the UK.

Making its debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show, Juke will feature all the benefits of the Qashqai but in a more compact form.

Going on sale in Britain in October, Juke was designed in London by Nissan Design Europe before plans were taken to the company’s Japanese design centre.

Paul Wilcox, managing director of Nissan UK, said the company is "thrilled" to unveil its new, "amazing" model.

"Over the past few months we have learnt more and more about the new small Nissan’s talents, style and appeal and we can’t wait to get another top quality British-built model into our showrooms," he commented.

The manufacturer hopes Juke will combine the appeal of sports utility vehicle with the traditional charm of a sports car.

Nissan confirmed earlier this month that its European market share had grown to its highest level for 12 months.