NEW YORK -- The 2009 World Performance Car award,
presented by Mobil 1, went to the Nissan GT-R as announced today during the
awards press conference hosted by the New York International Auto Show and
Mobil 1 at the Jacob Javits Centre in Manhattan, New York, USA.

    The Nissan GT-R was chosen from an initial entry list of twenty-three
(23) contenders nominated by fifty-nine (59) World Car jurors from
twenty-five (25) countries throughout the world.

    While the winner of the overall World Car of the Year award must excel
in a broad range of attributes, there is a segment of the car-buying public
for whom performance - in its broadest sense - overrides all other
priorities. Vehicles appealing to that clientele may be too narrowly
focused to appeal to the masses, but it is an important element in the
overall automotive mix. It is for that reason that the World Performance
Car award was created in 2005.

    Candidates for the World Performance Car award must demonstrate a
specific and overt Sports/Performance orientation. They must also satisfy
the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car award and may
be chosen from that list of eligible vehicles.

    Additional entrants may include newly introduced variants that satisfy
the same criteria, but are derived from existing rather than brand-new
models. In all cases, they must have a minimum annual production rate of
five-hundred (500) vehicles.

    The jurors voted in January 2009 in order to establish a top ten
shortlist. The 2009 World Performance Car was chosen from those finalists
as tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.

    WCOTY's jurors observed that the "Nissan GT-R stole the headlines in
the sports car world in 2008. This GT-R - the R35 - throws even former
GT-Rs into the weeds via an all-new 3.6-liter bi-turbo V-8 providing 480
horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque. The drive of the GT-R, especially
on a track, reveals an incredibly flexible all-wheel-drive chassis that
lays down the rubber whenever you request it. Acceleration to 60 mph from a
stop takes just 3.5 seconds, or a tick behind fellow Performance finalist
the Corvette ZR1. This is a complete effort put forth by the normally
conservative Nissan and the pleasure is in doing laps of a favorite circuit
and feeling the sheer capabilities of the car. For $77,000 it may be the
world's best enthusiast car."

    "On behalf of the global team of designers, engineers and others behind
the development of the Nissan GT-R, Nissan proudly accepts the 2009 World
Performance Car of the Year award. This recognition validates their unique
vision in creating a true world supercar that can be enjoyed by anyone,
anytime and anywhere. Beyond power, beyond performance, GT-R goes beyond
expectations. Thank you, jurors, for this unexpected honor," said Brian
Carolin, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan North America,
Inc.

    The top three contenders for the World Performance Car were the Nissan
GT-R, the Corvette ZR1 and the Porsche 911 Carrera.

    Mobil 1 announced its sponsorship of the World Performance Car award in
November 2007. "Over the past several months, it has been our pleasure to
see three Mobil 1 partners recognized for their automotive engineering
excellence and vie for the world's top performance car honor," said Nancy
Carlson, strategic global alliances - sales director, ExxonMobil Lubricants
& Petroleum Specialties. "For more than 35 years, ExxonMobil research and
engineering teams have collaborated with auto manufacturers around the
globe to ensure that Mobil 1, the world's leading synthetic motor oil
brand, continues to deliver exceptional protection for all types of
vehicles and evolving engine technologies. Consequently, we know first-hand
how deserving all three finalists are for this recognition and congratulate
everyone at Nissan and the team behind the Nissan GT-R for earning the
title of 2009 World Performance Car."

    Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi R8 in 2008, the
Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

    Now in their sixth year, the annual World Car awards have become one of
the world's most prestigious, credible and significant programs of its
kind.

    The awards were inaugurated in 2003, and officially launched in January
2004, to reflect the reality of the global marketplace, as well as to
recognize and reward automotive excellence on an international scale. The
awards are intended to complement, not compete, with existing national and
regional Car of the Year programs.

    The awards are administered by a non-profit association, under the
guidance of a Steering Committee of pre-eminent automotive journalists from
Asia, Europe, and North America. There is no affiliation with, nor are the
awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or
other commercial enterprise.

The all-new 370Z Roadster goes on sale in late summer as a 2010 modelnissan_370z_nismo.jpg
and features a new power-folding convertible top with single-action
operation and automatic roof latch. It also offers more refinement than any
Z(R) convertible that has come before -- including standard Nissan
Intelligent Key, as well as available heating and cooling ventilated net
seats, Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, satellite radio and an
advanced Nissan Navigation System with 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive.

    The performance-inspired 2009 NISMO 370Z features dramatic aerodynamic
styling, a 350-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine and a specially tuned
suspension. It also offers unique interior treatments and special
NISMO-branded 19-inch super lightweight forged alloy wheels. It is
scheduled to go on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide beginning in June.

    "The addition of these two exciting new Z(R)s to the dynamic new 370Z
Coupe gives us three times the firepower as any competitive affordable
sports car on the market today," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president,
Sales and Marketing, NNA. "Now, if you prefer your 370Z action with a
wide-open top or with wide-open extreme styling and performance, we have
the perfect Z(R) for you."

    Full information on both new vehicles is available at nissannews.com.

    About the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

    Based on the current generation 370Z Coupe (introduced in January
2009), the Z(R) Roadster shares its engine, transmissions, suspension,
platform and most major components with the popular and exceptionally
well-reviewed Z(R) Coupe. The list of cutting edge technology includes the
standard 332-horsepower 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event
and Lift Control (VVEL), choice of 7-speed automatic transmission or
close-ratio 6-speed manual with available SynchroRev Match(TM) (the world's
first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission), refined
4-wheel independent suspension, 4-wheel vented disc brakes (with available
Nissan Sport Brakes) and lightweight yet rigid body structure.

    The Z(R) Roadster departs from the Z(R) Coupe with its exclusive high
back seats, added structural body reinforcements and convertible top. The
370Z Roadster's roof was designed with an emphasis on three key areas: to
provide a sleek silhouette matching the new Z(R)'s stunning styling with
the top up or down, to offer easy single-action open-close operation, and
to provide an enjoyable top-down experience with reduced wind turbulence
and all-climate driver/passenger comfort.

    And, true to its sports car heritage, the Z(R) Roadster's interior is
completely driver-centric, with its three-layer design grouping items by
how a driver sees information, operates the controls and is held in place
-- so drivers feel completely connected and engaged whenever and wherever
they drive, top up or down.

    The 370Z Roadster is offered in 370Z Roadster and 370Z Touring Roadster
models.

    About the 2009 Nissan NISMO 370Z

    The all-new, second generation NISMO Z(R) continues the tradition of
the original by offering unique performance and design attributes that true
sports car enthusiasts are looking for -- straight from the factory. Like
the limited production NISMO 350Z introduced two years earlier, the new
NISMO 370Z is a tuner-Z(R) enthusiast's dream, featuring 350 horsepower and
276 lb-ft of torque, racing-inspired exterior and interior styling, a
specially tuned suspension and special super-lightweight forged alloy
wheels. The NISMO 370Z was developed by Nissan's Specialty Vehicles Group
in conjunction with Autech Japan, Nissan's longstanding conversion partner.

    The NISMO 370Z's standard 3.7-liter DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve
Event and Lift Control (VVEL) combines with a refined 4-wheel independent
suspension and advanced FM (Front Midship) platform to offer responsive
performance and handling. As expected of a true performance machine, the
NISMO 370Z is offered with only one transmission -- a close-ratio 6-speed
manual transmission with standard SynchroRev Match(TM), which allows
perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting.

    The NISMO 370Z also features enhanced body rigidity and a special
NISMO-tuned suspension. Unique 5-spoke 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy
wheels are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance
tires. Nissan Sport Brakes and a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD)
are also standard.

    The new NISMO Z(R)'s functional, fully integrated aerodynamic body
pieces include an extended front nose, a fully integrated chin spoiler,
side sills and a unique rear bumper help control airflow under the vehicle,
while the functional rear spoiler also increases downforce.

    The interior includes NISMO logo seats with black and red fabric and
red stitching, a NISMO-branded tachometer, steering wheel with smooth
leather and red parallel stitching, smooth leather-wrapped shift knob and
aluminum trimmed pedals. A serialized plaque of authenticity is also
matched to each NISMO Z(R), identifying its unique serial and model year
designation.

    About Nissan North America

    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the
environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, whose key priorities are
reducing CO2 emissions, cutting other emissions and increasing recycling.
More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan
and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at http://www.NissanUSA.com and
http://www.infiniti.com.

SOURCE Nissan North America, Inc.

TOKYO – Nissan Motor Co. will offer a luxury gas-electric hybrid for the U.S. and Japanese markets next year, Japan’s top business daily reported Sunday, as competition intensifies in the green technology.

Nissan’s Tokyo headquarters were closed for the weekend. Automakers are generally tightlipped about specific product plans, but Nissan already has shown prototypes of their hybrid models.

Nissan has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in developing its own hybrids but has made no secret of its ambitions to play aggressive catchup.

It now buys hybrid systems from Toyota for the Nissan Altima hybrid but is promising a vehicle packed with Nissan’s own hybrid system by 2010.

Nissan is developing a different kind of battery for hybrids from those used by Toyota and Honda. Nissan officials say their battery is better at providing quicker and more power.

The Nikkei, which did not cite sourcing, said Nissan’s hybrid system will be offered for the luxury Infiniti M, sold as the Fuga in Japan. Nissan plans to expand hybrid offerings to other luxury models and sports cars, the report said.

Nissan officials have said the nation’s third-biggest automaker is working on a bigger hybrid system than Toyota’s popular Prius, the global top-seller among hybrids, and will make hybrid sports cars and luxury models.

Among luxury cars, Toyota already offers various Lexus hybrids, while German automakers Daimler AG and BMW AG are planning hybrids.

In recent months, competition among lower-end hybrids has heated up with a major challenge to the Prius’ dominance from Honda’s hit Insight.

Hybrids deliver better mileage and reduce global warming gas emissions, compared with ordinary cars, because hybrids switch between a gasoline engine and an electric motor to deliver gas-sipping efficiency.

TOKYO — Reversing his profit forecast to a loss, Nissan Motor Co. CEO Carlos Ghosn entered crisis mode today.

Ghosn announced plans to slash 20,000 jobs, cut production by 20 percent, scale back new model launches and delay new factories. Nissan could also seek government bailout loans, Ghosn said.

The 265 billion yen ($2.91 billion) net loss Ghosn now predicts for the fiscal year ending March 31 would be his first loss since taking charge of Nissan in 1999.

The outlook wipes out an earlier forecast for net income of $1.76 billion.

Ghosn has put on hold the Nissan GT 2012 mid-term business plan announced last year and its target of achieving 5 percent revenue growth through 2012. That plan was introduced after the earlier Value-Up initiative missed its unit sales goal.

The top priority now is preserving cash as Nissan and Japanese rivals struggle against collapsing global demand, a surging yen and shrinking access to credit. Of Japan’s six big automakers, only Honda Motor Co. and Suzuki Motor Corp. are still predicting profits.

“Nissan is operating in an environment in which we are hit with three challenges at one time, the credit crisis, economic recession and strengthening yen,” Ghosn said here Feb. 9, while announcing fiscal third-quarter results. “Systematically, the worst scenario happened.”

New recovery plan

Ghosn’s new recovery actions include:

• Slashing global workforce to 215,000 from 235,000 by end of 2009.

• Cutting labor costs by 20 percent to $7.69 billion.

• Limiting launches to 48 new products in next five years, instead of 60 as planned.

• Slowing the ramp-up of Nissan’s new factory in Chennai, India.

• Suspending Nissan’s involvement in a new Renault factory in Tangiers, Morocco.

• Reducing board member pay by 10 percent, managerial pay by 5 percent.

Nissan will also approach governments worldwide about possible credit lines, Ghosn said. He applauded industry support measures already implemented in Europe and being considered in Japan and the United States. “We need access to financing, that’s all we’re asking,” he said.

“Cash is king,” Ghosn said. “You need to generate cash and be extremely rigorous with cash.”

The company may seek up to $549.5 million in low interest loans from the Japan’s government-backed Development Bank of Japan, the Nikkei newspaper reported.

It may also try tapping the $25 billion the U.S. government has earmarked to help automakers and suppliers retool factories to make more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Grim outlook

For the full-year, Nissan expects an operating loss of $1.98 billion. That’s against an earlier outlook for operating profit of $2.97 billion.

The company will rein in capital expenditure by 21 percent in the current fiscal year and then cut again by 14 percent next year. The cuts will help Nissan save cash, Ghosn said.

That will bring Nissan’s spending on capital investment to $3.63 billion in the next fiscal year, from $5.37 billion in 2007.

Ghosn warned that global volume will shrink as low as 50 million units in 2009, from an estimated 62 million last year. To match it, Nissan is aiming to cut production by 787,000 units by the end of March – a 20 percent decrease from its planned volume.

The 20,000 job cuts account for roughly 8.5 percent of the company’s workforce.

They include some 2,000 temporary jobs that have already been cut in Japan and another 1,200 early retirement buyouts from the United States. Nissan has also already announced 1,680 cuts in Spain. Nissan did not give details about where the additional cuts will hit.

Source: AP News

According to recent developments,  Nissan will be discontinuing the Quest minivan, full-size Armada SUV, and its platform mate Infiniti QX56. The plant in Canton, Mississippi that is currently used to build the three vehicles will retooled to build a new line of small commercial vehicles that Nissan is hoping to sell in the US.
The Quest has been a mainstay of Nissan’s lineup since the early 1990s. Back then the minivan market was red-hot, and the Quest was built as a sibling to the Mercury Villager minivan. The Villager died in 2002, and the Quest morphed into an upscale, futuristic-looking van that never really caught on with buyers who seek practicality and value. The minivan market is rapidly shrinking; Ford and GM have both discontinued their minivans, and even the popular vans from Chrysler Corporation have been dealing with dwindling sales.
The Armada and QX56 have been around since 2003. At the time they were designed to rival popular large SUVs like the Lincoln Navigator, Toyota Sequoia, and Chevy Suburban. Neither vehicle ever really caught on, and has been plagued by un-Nissan-like quality issues since their debut.

First off Happy Holidays from the Tuned.com staff and we hope everyone was safe and happy when all was said and done. We are looking forward to the New Years as we have a lot planned for everyone. Make sure you check out the Coming in 2009 section.

The holidays seemed to have gone very quickly this year, maybe it was the non stop action on the government front dealing with this financial crisis. In the last few days we saw GMAC finally take the relief they were looking for from the TARP fund. The $6B may seem small compared to other numbers you may have seen, but lets remember these funds are for only GMAC. The good news, or so it seems, is that GMAC managed a $21.2B debt swap that will help the pressure put on the company. This fix isn’t without its hitches either as the original numbers was looking for $38B in swap, but hey we are the American people we will take what we can get right?

There has also been some interesting development in the new car sector as well. Nissan has released pricing on the new 370Z starting the car at $30,000 which is a small bump over the last model. There will be some interesting packages available as well including the availability of 19-inch Rays Wheels. There is word is that Acura will show the scrapped NSX concept at Detroit, don’t expect any spotlights though, Acura is keeping the budget low and will have a show only booth. Fisker will be showing a new concept at Detroit as well, difference being that this may see production, the Fisker Sunset (Karma S) will be seen in its entirety for the first time. The car looks to be released as a hybrid convertible and be able to complete 50 miles on the battery alone along with a combined 100 miles to the gallon all with a 5.8 second 0-60.

This last bit of news doesn’t come as a shock as Chrysler is being criticized for spending over $300,000 on ads to thank America. The public sees this as a sign that these companies just don’t understand what it means to be frugal. Chrysler spent a reported $200,000 with “The Wall Street Journal” and $100,000 with “USA Today”. Does this really surprise us when we are talking about gentlemen who took their private jets to D.C. to ask the people for money, it can’t, but we can be disgusted and should hold the government responsible for their “terms and agreements” and start asking some serious questions. It is bad enough that the banks that have received relief have told the government they will not include details on how they spend their money because it is none of their business. I think we can all agree it is time cancel the handouts and see how the tune changes.

Nizzan 370Z Gallery
Images courtesy of Nissan Motor Corp.

Fisker Karma S Gallery
Images courtesy of Fisker Automotive

The Detroit Auto Show is supposed to be the pinnacle of automotive conventions in North America. Last I checked it wasn’t just American makes that attended this show and considered it the grandaddy of automotive reveal events. This year it seems that not only will some of the more coveted brands be pulling out, Rolls Royce and Ferrari, as well as some of the showier brands being Land Rover, but now the overseas as well. Mitsubishi as well as Nissan, which of course means Infiniti stays home, will be pulling out of the events. Nissan has been cited as saying they feel they reached their exposure rate in the LA Auto Show a few weeks ago. Mitsubishi admits they feel the Detroit market is just not as important as it used to be. It looks like the middle American automotive release has lost its coveted position on top the pedestal. Some of these dealers will be staying for the New York and Chicago Auto Shows, Mistubishi specifically, which were not exactly impactful last year. Hopefully, this downturn will spark some new approaches and reignite the Auto Show fire.