Latest news with #EiichiAkashi
Fast Company
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fast Company
Nissan bets on its hybrid EV to drive a comeback
Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The one other automaker that offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car, manufacturer Daihatsu Motor Co. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks.
Japan Today
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Japan Today
Troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
Reporters try out Nissan's e-Power electrification technology on the current Qashqai model at the company's Grandrive facility in Yokosuka on Monday. By Yuri Kageyama Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Corp is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan, which racked up a 670.9 billion net loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks. © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Japan's troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
Reporters try out Nissan's e-Power electrification technology on the current Qashqai model at the company's Grandrive facility in Yokosuka, Japan, outside Tokyo, Monday, May 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Yuri Kageyama) YOKOSUKA, Japan — Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest 'e-Power' technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. 'Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart,' Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is 'kei,' or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks. Yuri Kageyama, The Associated Press
26-05-2025
- Automotive
Nissan Unveils Next-Gen Hybrid Vehicle Technology
News from Japan Economy Technology May 26, 2025 21:38 (JST) Yokosuka, Kanagawa Pref., May 26 (Jiji Press)--Nissan Motor Co. unveiled to the press Monday an updated version of its e-Power hybrid vehicle technology, which the struggling automaker expects to grow into a major source of earnings. The third generation e-Power technology will be on vehicle models to be released in Europe in the second half of fiscal 2025 and in North America and Japan in fiscal 2026. It promises improved fuel efficiency and quietness, with gas mileage up by an average of 9 pct and by 15 pct for driving on expressways. Models equipped with the new technology will have cruising ranges and fuel economies "comparable to top models from our competitors," said Nissan Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi. The e-Power system runs on a motor powered by electricity generated by a gasoline engine. It offers the quietness of an electric vehicle while enabling users to refuel at gas stations. [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.] Jiji Press
The Mainichi
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Mainichi
Japan's troubled automaker Nissan banks on hybrid EV technology
YOKOSUKA, Japan (AP) -- Money-losing Japanese automaker Nissan is banking on its latest "e-Power" technology for a turnaround. A kind of hybrid, e-Power comes equipped with both an electric motor and gasoline engine, much like the Toyota Motor Corp. Prius. It's different from a Prius in that it doesn't switch back and forth between the motor and engine during the drive. That means the car always is running on its EV battery, ensuring a quiet, smooth ride. "Nissan has a proud history of pioneering innovative technology that set us apart," Chief Technology Officer Eiichi Akashi told reporters on the sidelines of a test drive at its Grandrive course outside Tokyo. The advantage of e-Power vehicles is that they never need to be charged like EVs do. The owner just fuels up at a gas station and the car never runs out of a charge. Nissan Motor Corp., which racked up a $4.5 billion loss for the fiscal year through March, sorely needs a hot-seller, especially in the lucrative North American market. But the U.S. market is proving a big headache for all the Japanese automakers because of President Donald Trump's tariff policies. To achieve a turnaround, Nissan is working on reducing costs, strengthening business partnerships and redefining its lineup. That's where e-Power fits in, according to Akashi. Yokohama-based Nissan announced earlier this month that it's slashing about 15% of its global work force, or about 20,000 employees, and reducing the number of its auto plants to 10 from 17, under an ambitious recovery plan led by its new Chief Executive Ivan Espinosa. Nissan officials did not give a price for the upcoming e-Power models. The only other automaker offers a similar technology is "kei," or tiny car manufacturer Suzuki Motor Corp. E-Power is already offered on the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail model in Europe, and the Note in Japan. The upgraded version will be offered in the new Rogue in the U.S. Nissan, a pioneer in EVs with its Leaf, which went on sale in 2010, is also preparing beefed up EV models. It's also working on a solid-state battery which is expected to replace the lithium-ion batteries now widely used in hybrids, EVs and e-Power models. Analysts say Nissan is in danger of running out of cash and needs a partner. Speculation is rife its Yokohama headquarters building will get sold, or one of its Japan plants will be turned into a casino. Nissan started talks last year with Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. for a business integration but announced in February that it was dropping the talks.
