Nissan’s 2016 resolution to shed the pounds
- Nissan gets in shape in 2016 with a resolution to significantly reduce the weight of passenger vehicles
- Company launches a prototype programme; the first step in creating revolutionary material applications that will be used for the vehicles of tomorrow
- Nissan will be undertaking this work in collaboration with a consortium of auto manufacturers and research bodies as part of the Lightweighting Excellence Programme
Many New Year’s resolutions will be distant memories already, but Nissan is sticking to its commitment – to shed the pounds on its passenger car range – for the whole of 2016 and beyond.
The company’s ‘Lightweighting Programme’ will produce a pioneering prototype material structure designed to be used in the floor of the vehicles of the future.
Working closely with the UK supply chain, Nissan will draw on the materials and techniques used in the motorsport and aerospace industries including the materials used in space travel.
David Moss, Vice President, Vehicle Design & Development, NTCE said: “The next 12 months promise to bring not resolutions, but revolutions, as the brand marches forward with yet more ‘Innovation That Excites’. This programme is another demonstration of our commitment to developing the cars of tomorrow, today.
He added: “We know the cars of the future will need to be lighter, stronger and more efficient, that is why we are launching our prototype programme in collaboration with research and industry bodies across the UK. This programme intends to produce a new manufacturing process that will revolutionise the industry.”
In addition to the ‘Lightweighting Programme’ Nissan is involved in an extensive mass reduction programme, which has resulted in a 90kg weight loss for the X-trail and 40kg for the new Qashqai. Under this existing programme, Nissan engineers use lighter stronger materials while still allowing for the extensive addition of extra equipment.
Nissan’s efforts in the ‘Lightweighting Programme’ will improve performance, fuel consumption and counteract the weight of the increasing amount of technology being built into vehicles. The prototype being produced will test the viability of the new part.
Nissan is undertaking this work as part of the LX consortium of auto manufacturers and research bodies led by Sigmatex and supported by Axillium Research, in partnership with Cranfield University, Engenuity, Expert Tooling & Automation, Granta Design, Group Rhodes, LMAT, Surface Generation and Tilsatec. The consortium seeks to enhance the capability within the UK automotive supply chain to manufacture composite components.
The LX programme is funded by the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative, set up by the UK Government to help existing UK supply chains grow and achieve world-class standards.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 17,600 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last calendar year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced more than 675,000 vehicles including award-winning crossovers, small cars, SUVs, commercial vehicles and electric vehicles, including the Nissan LEAF, the world’s most popular electric vehicle with 97% of customers willing to recommend the car to friends. Nissan now offers a strong line-up of 23 diverse and innovative models in Europe under the Nissan and Datsun brands.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2014, the company sold more than 5.3 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.3 trillion yen. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceana; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500, and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since March 1999.
