The history of Nissan taking environmental measures goes as far back as 1947. Since 1992, abiding to our environmental philosophy "Symbiosis of People, Vehicle, and Nature", we have as an enterprise, been accelerating the activities pertaining to the said philosophy. At present we are promoting our mid-term environmental plan "Nissan Green Program 2010", identifying the 3 crucial issues, and setting the ultimate goals of "reducing CO2 emissions", "cleaner (conservation of the atmosphere/water/earth) emissions", and "resource circulation (the promoting of the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle)". We are furthering our measures to achieve these goals.
In order to steadily reduce CO2 emissions, Nissan sees the total contribution of providing truthfully effective technology at an affordable price to its clients, while at the same time swiftly propagating these technologies, as crucial. That said, we believe the "4 optimums" - "Investment in the optimum technology that fits the market needs, at the opportune moment, at the best value for the clients", as the basis of technology investment. Based on these 4 optimums, we will not only ultimately heighten the engine efficiency of petrol motor vehicles, but also proceed with the development and investment of electrical vehicles which are zero-emission vehicles.
For vehicle manufacturers, the best long-term policy that both creates demand and protects the environment, is to created a zero-emission vehicle that has no negative effects toward the environment. The Renault-Nissan Alliance sees the propagation and investment in electrical vehicles, which are zero-emission vehicles, as central to the corporate strategy, and committed to become a "leader through electrical vehicles". The electrical vehicles that are being developed in Nissan will be introduced in the United States, Europa as well as in Japan in FY2010. By FY2012, there are plans to globally merchandise them.
Nissan had, at an early stage, taken interest in the development of motors, batteries, and inverters which are key technologies for electrical vehicles. Aiming to achieve the goals set forth in the "Nissan Green Program 2010", we are striving to strengthen the developmental measures we have been taking up to this point. Additionally, we are working to develop technology for further practicability, and taking efforts in reducing their costs. In 2007, we established the Automotive Energy Supply Corporation (AESC) that deals with the production and sales of "compact lithium-ion batteries". The batteries that are to be developed will be used within electrical vehicles, as well as hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles.
At Nissan, we believe that the quality of our products allows us to build a relationship of mutual trust with our customers and is the foundation for continual growth. Product quality is far more than just the performance of Nissan vehicles. It means everything related to our cars that brings satisfaction to our customers, from the moment of seeing and touching a Nissan car in the showroom to the support given by the sales staff and the post-purchase driving experience. Nissan quality also extends to after-sales inspections and repairs. We will continue to evaluate and improve all areas of our operations in order to provide the products and services that will constantly give satisfaction to our customers.
Nissan aims to halve the number of fatal and serious injuries from accidents involving Nissan vehicles in Japan by 2015 compared with 1995. Based on analysis of real-world accidents, Nissan has been working progressively to design and engineer safer vehicles. Safety shield is an approach to provide continuous support against dangerous situations, by activating various barriers according to the circumstances, from normal driving to post-accident. We are advancing development based on even more sophisticated and proactive safety policy.
In March 2009, the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Yokohama City saw an agreement over the 5-year -plan, the `Yokohama Mobility "Project Zero"', which aims to realize the "environment model city" that is promoted by Yokohama City. In order to reduce CO2 emissions, this partnership will see cooperation in disseminating eco-drive, in addition to testing guidance routes that will contribute to reducing traffic, as well as propagating electrical cars. Additionally, Nissan is in works with Tokyo University in developing a joint industry-university research concerning vehicle transport that aims for the symbiosis of urban space and nature. In terms of the evaluation and the release of information concerning this time's planned items, we are, in cooperation with Tokyo University, also furthering them.
Yokohama City is planned to be one of the first markets where Nissan's electrical vehicles will be supplied, similarly to the various regions throughout the world that have similar partnership agreements with the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
From January 2008, aiming for the realistic propagation of electrical vehicles, the Renault-Nissan Alliance concluded on the 40 cases (as of December 2009) of "Partnership regarding zero-emission mobility" along with governmental sectors, municipal sectors and other sectors. With this, we are working to prepare the social infrastructure such as by installing chargers, as well as taking into consideration benefit measures in times of purchasing the zero-emission vehicles. Through the cooperation with our partners throughout the world, we are contributing to a vehicle society that is both people-friendly and considerate of the environment.
In Sky Project, which has been implemented since October 2006 in partnership with non-automobile industries and in cooperation with government agencies, Nissan, with the participation of customers, has been working to reduce the number of traffic accidents and alleviate traffic congestion by using intelligent transportation system (ITS). While providing information to cut the number of encounter head accidents and reduce driving speed in school zones and other areas, we investigate the potentiality for the alleviation of traffic congestion, realized through daily use of ITS, to improve effectiveness of energy use and reduce CO2 emissions.
In Beijing, China, we have been implementing Star Wings, a project to develop new transportation information system, in cooperation with Beijing Traffic Information Center (BTIC), in order to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic conditions in Beijing and China.
Beginning in 2007, Nissan became an active "Y-green partner" when it harnessed wind-power for use in its facilities in Japan. The company, through its Yokohma plant facility and the new Global Headquarters, seeks to utilize "green energy in its facilities and implement local green energy for local consumption.
Since November 2005, Nissan Motor Manufacturing Ltd. (UK) has been using a wind-power facility at its Sunderland plant. Addressing the key issues of Nissan Green Program 2010, the company is reducing C02 emissions by utilizing wind derived power in its facilities worldwide.
BUI-2 (Best Usability Interior-2) is a concept car, whose interior has been created with a focus to "design the way people feel" so that all the elements can smoothly appeal to people as they engage in cars. For Nissan, three types of design - interface design, color and material design, and sensitivity quality design - are broadly defined as interaction design. Through various research activities, we are making efforts to realize even more convenient and attractive interior designs.
Nissan lifecare vehicles (LVs) help bring mobility to the elderly or those with physical disabilities. We regard LVs as an essential part of our lineup of cars rather than specialty vehicles, and we are enhancing the products and services available to them. As of the end of January 2009, in Japan there were 401 certified dealerships with LVs on display and advisory staff with expert knowledge of the vehicles, and a total of 5,520 LV advisors. There are dealerships in every prefecture of the country meeting the needs of customers and offering the chance to test-drive these vehicles. Since 2003, we have also been carrying out an annual campaign of LV trial rides for people who have only limited opportunities to get out and about, so that they too can experience the joy of mobility.
As one of the various activities engaged with Yokohama, an interactive pavilion was exhibited bringing more consciousness of OMOIYARI towards the earth at the "EXPO Y150" which opened in the Minato-mirai area celebrating 150 days since the end of April 2009. *OMOIYARI means Care
For children who hold our future, the concept to realize, think and act about "OMOIYARI activities to the earth" was talked of through the "PIVO2", an electric-powered commuter car.
"Voices of OMOIYARI" was declared as OMOIYARI activities for the earth which could be started on this day. And a balloon resembling the earth was filled with more than 500,000 OMOIYARI of people.
With the shared direction to "expand OMOIYARI activities on a worldwide scale, initiating from Yokohama," even after the "EXPO Y150," Nissan not only treasured it's connection with earth, but in order to expand activities and cooperate with as many people around the world, OMOIYARI activities to the earth was encouraged with the NISSAN OMOIYARI BALLOON.
Nissan endeavors to fulfill its role as a corporate citizen toward the realization of a sustainable society, while providing attractive products and services globally, under the vision of "enriching people's lives." We are thus advancing corporate citizenship activities in fields centered on three priority areas - support for education, environmentally friendliness, and humanitarian assistance - in order to contribute to the sustainability of society.
We share our vision globally with Nissan employees around the world and strive to strengthen our relations with local communities by conducting activities responsive to the circumstances and needs of each country and region.
Nissan North America has been engaging in activities to offer low price houses to those who have no place to live, with Habitat for Humanity, an NGO with which the company has concluded a partnership in 2007. Employees of Nissan North America participate in house constructions on a volunteer basis, and "Titan" has been selected as the official car of this project.
The Nissan Ten-Year International Silk Road Walk is a fund-raising event that covers the whole 7,000 kilometers of the historic Silk Road over the course of a decade. Sponsored by Nissan China Investment Co., Ltd., this walk provides participants with the moving opportunity to experience for themselves the wonders of China's history and art as they travel through different regions, along with fresh insight into China's educational and environmental issues.
In Japan,Nissan holds 'Nissan Children's Storybook and Picture Book Grand Prix, a cooperative program 'with the International Institute for Children's Literature, Osaka.
It is to introduce children to richly imaginative storybooks and picture books, and this writing competition seeks to encourage amateur authors toward the production of creative literature for children. Entries have included numerous outstanding works over the years, and prize-winning books have gone on to a variety of uses, including as elementary school language-arts textbooks.
