Loan used to modify Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant for production in 2012

Today, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced that the Department of Energy has closed a $1.4 billion loan agreement with Nissan North America, Inc. The loan will support the modification of Nissans Smyrna, Tenn., manufacturing plant to produce the Nissan LEAF, a zero-emission, all-electric vehicle, and the lithium-ion battery packs to power them.
The loan, which originated through the Departments loan guarantee program office, was issued as part of the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program, a $25 billion program authorized by Congress as part of the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. The program is designed to accelerate the development of vehicles and technologies that increase U.S. energy independence, create cleaner means of transportation and stimulate the American economy. The loan was finalized after a rigorous financial and technical qualification process.
Nissan applauds the Department of Energys support of the development of innovative, advanced vehicle technologies and the creation of clean energy jobs, said Scott Becker, senior vice president, Administration and Finance, Nissan North America. Nissan is committed to zero-emission mobility. This loan, which will bring production of the Nissan LEAF to Tennessee, is a significant step in sustaining American jobs and American manufacturing.
The loan will result in the creation of up to 1,300 jobs when the plants are operating at full capacity. Modification of the Smyrna manufacturing plant, which will begin later this year, includes a new battery plant and changes in the existing structure for electric-vehicle assembly. When fully operational, the vehicle assembly plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 Nissan LEAF electric cars per year, and the new plant will have an annual capacity of 200,000 batteries.
Nissan, along with its Alliance partner, Renault, is the only automaker committed to mass marketing all-electric vehicles on a global scale. Nissan LEAF, a five-passenger sedan, will be available for private and fleet customers. It is being launched in the U.S., Japan and Europe in December 2010. Nissan has spearheaded a holistic approach to zero-emission mobility by working with states, municipalities, utility companies and other partners, to prepare markets and infrastructure. Nissan has formed more than a dozen partnerships in the United States, in markets including State of Tennessee, the State of Oregon, Sonoma County and San Diego in California, Phoenix and Tucson, Ariz., Washington D.C., Seattle, Raleigh, N.C., and with Houston-based Reliant Energy.
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive design, 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 the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car.

Contacts:
Katherine Zachary

Nissan North America, Inc.
katherine.zachary@nissan-usa.com

615-725-1447
Jeannine Ginivan

Nissan North America, Inc.
jeannine.ginivan@nissan-usa.com

703-350-6801

Nissan North Americas facility in Canton, Miss., is the first vehicle assembly plant to receive the coveted 2009 ENERGY STAR from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is the fourth-consecutive year the Canton plant has received this distinguishing mark of energy performance that places the facility among the top 25 percent of auto assembly plants in the United States.
It means something special when your company is connected with ENERGY STAR, said Dan Bednarzyk, vice president, Manufacturing-Canton. Thats why were always proud to receive this award and will continually strive to look for new and beneficial ways to protect the environment and improve energy efficiency.
As an ENERGY STAR partner, Nissan has committed to three principal actions that include measuring and benchmarking energy performance; reducing the intensity of energy use at all facilities; and educating staff and the public about ENERGY STAR.
Nissans ongoing energy efficiency practices at Canton include:

• Engaging all employees in energy-management practices
• Installation of variable-speed electric-motor drives that match motor loads to the duty required
• Elimination of compressed air leaks
• Reducing startup and shutdown time on process equipment
• Improved controls for paint-process systems

Receiving the ENERGY STAR is a testament to the compatibility of improving our environment while enhancing the corporate bottom line, said Jean Lupinacci, director, Commercial and Industrial Branch.
Nissans vehicle assembly plants in Smyrna, Tenn., and Canton, Miss., continue to receive ENERGY STAR awards year-after-year. The plants, including Nissans powertrain assembly plant in Decherd, Tenn., have seen their energy efficiency improve by more than 30 percent, saving the company over $11.5 million per year.

ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary market-based partnership to reduced greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency. Today, ENERGY STAR offers business and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money, and help protect the environment for future generations. More than 12,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, building and business. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov or call toll-free 1-888-STAR-YES (1-888-782-7937)
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 www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

Weve driven test mules wearing both Cube and Versa sheet metal, but this latest announcement is the final step in turning an engineering project into a production car. The Leaf shares its general shape with the Versa hatchback, but is notably longer than that car. Cues are also borrowed from the Murano crossover and the Asian-market March subcompact. Nissans chief creative officer, Shiro Nakamura, says the car shown is almost identical to the production model that will arrive in the U.S.

Inside, the cabin has style at the top of the compact car segment. The two-tier instrument panel uses digital screens rather than traditional gauges. A gloss black surround and sleek flush-mounted buttons accent the navigation system in the light interior. The traditional shift lever is replaced by a small knob that is pushed forward or back to select drive or reverse.

Nissan Leafs (Leaves?) will be offered to commercial fleets in the U.S. in 2010. By 2012, the LEAF will be offered to consumers in select markets, including Oregon, Phoenix, Raleigh, San Diego, Seattle, Sonoma, Tennessee, Tucson, and Washington D.C. Nissan says the price of the EV will be close to that of a family sedan, which we take to mean somewhere near $25,000 to $30,000. To ease early adopters fears about costly replacement, Nissan will likely lease the battery pack. The company is still debating if the car itself the body, the chassis, and the powertrain will be leased or sold to customers.

The Leaf is powered by an electric motor making 80 kW (107 hp) and 206 lb-ft of torque. Electricity is stored in a 24-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The Leaf will have a range of about 100 miles between charges. In the home, a 200-volt system will recharge the car in eight hours. Nissan is also working with governments and utilities to install charging stations in major markets. Some of those stations would use a three-phase 200-volt power supply to charge the battery to 80 percent in just 30 minutes.

To aid drivers in making the transition from gas vehicles to range-limited electrics, Nissan will connect the Leaf with drivers through their phones. Using that system, consumers would be able to check the battery charge or turn on the climate control several minutes before getting into their car. By cooling or heating the vehicle while it is still plugged in, drivers can conserve the battery charge to ensure they get the best range. Leaf drivers will also have the option to equip their car with a small solar panel on the rear spoiler to power some accessories when parked.

For Nissan, the Leaf represents a strategy to be a leader in zero-emissions technology. To date, the Japanese automaker has been a minor player in the hybrid game, only offering the Altima Hybrid (which uses Toyotas Synergy hybrid powertrain) in nine states. By focusing on electric vehicles, the company hopes to leap-frog hybrid leaders and establish its own green reputation. In addition to the Leaf, Nissan plans to offer two more electrics based on the same platform within a couple years.