MEXICO CITY, (October 28, 2009) - The Renault-Nissan Alliance and the Mexico City Government today announced a partnership that paves the way for the introduction of the Nissan LEAF in Mexico's capital city in 2011.
Mexico City will become the first city in Latin America to receive the Nissan LEAF and is part of the Mexico City government Green Plan (Plan Verde) committed to reduce CO2 emissions from vehicles by promoting battery-electric vehicles.
The memorandum of understanding, signed by the authorities and Nissan, brings together representatives from each organization to identify opportunities to promote the use of zero-emission vehicles in Mexico City.
"Today is a historic day for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Mexico City." Carlos Tavares, President of Nissan Americas, said. "We are signing a Memorandum of Understanding in order to introduce electric vehicles in Mexico's capital. Zero-emission leadership is a core commitment for the Renault-Nissan Alliance. We are delighted to share a common vision for a cleaner world with Mr. Ebrard's administration."
"Bringing the electric vehicle to the Mexico City market is a natural progression of Nissan's leadership and heritage in Mexico." José Muñoz, President of Nissan Mexicana, said. "Working with important partners like Mexico City is a critical step in our continued and lasting commitment to the Mexican society."
Marking its tenth anniversary this year, the Renault-Nissan Alliance is leading a collaborative approach with both business and governments and has signed more than 30 other agreements worldwide with partners to launch its fist electric vehicle starting 2010 and to mass market a full range of electrical vehicles by 2012. Today, with this initiative, Mexico City joins this approach.
The Nissan LEAF is the first vehicle to be launched under this agreement. It provides a quiet, efficient driving experience with a range of about 160 Km (100 Miles). The five-door, five-passenger hatchback is an electric motor and battery operated car (all-electric car) with absolutely no polluting emissions. No internal combustion engine and fossil oil-based fuel are needed. Its electric motor supplies 80 kW of power (107 hp) and 280 N-m (207 lb-ft) of direct torque to its wheels, providing a rapid response and a powerful acceleration.
The Renault Nissan Alliance
The Renault Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,090,304 vehicles in 2008. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world's top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability.
Nissan Mexicana, S.A. de C.V.
Subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and it was established in Mexico in 1961. It is comprised by corporate, marketing and sales, manufacturing, distribution and design facilities located in the cities of Aguascalientes, Cuernavaca, Mexico and Toluca. It currently employs approximately 8,000 workers and employees. In 2008, it commercialized more than 212,000 vehicles in Mexico, with a 20.7% market share and it produced over 450,000 units for the domestic and exports markets. In 2009, up to the month of September, it has been the market leader by commercializing 106,494 vehicles, with a 20.1% market share, and up to this month, it has produced 247,505 units. Nissan is focused on improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010, being its main objectives to reduce CO2 emissions, eliminate other types of emissions and to increase recycling.
Renault Mexico S. A. de C. V.
Subsidiary of Renault group, it was re-established in collaboration of its partner Nissan Mexicana S. A. de C.V. in January 2000. In December 2000, Renault and Nissan announce the first Alliance manufacturing product in Cuernavaca Nissan plant: Scenic. In March 2001, Renault inaugurates its first franchise in Mexico City. In December 2001, the first Clio was manufacture in Aguascalientes Nissan plant. Up to December 2008, Renault Mexico had produced 81 449 units under Nissan's manufacturing facilities and sold 136 846 vehicles on his 50 franchises around Mexico. In September 2009 Renault's participation in the Mexican market was 1.71%. In line with Renault eco2 environmental policy, Renault Z.E. electric vehicles are poised to be marketed on a large scale with a view to taking a decisive stand on the environmental front.
Green Plan Mexico City
The Green Plan is the mid-term plan of Mexico City that contains the strategies and actions to drive the city towards development sustainability for it to continue being an adequate space for its inhabitants without affecting the natural heritage that makes it viable. The Green Plan considers an entire environmental agenda (Environmental Agenda for Mexico City. Environmental Program 2007-2012), and its main aim is focused on driving Mexico City towards sustainability since, as most cities of the new century, the metropolis is in demand of medium and long term policies and actions to guarantee its ecologic feasibility. The Agenda represents a group of unprecedented actions to improve the life quality of its inhabitants and to achieve the aim of the Government of Mexico City focused on transforming it into the greenest city in Latin America; but mainly, it responds to the legitimate demand of having policies that foster measures against the environmental deterioration.
Nissan Zero Emission Website
www.nissan-global.com/EN/ZEROEMISSION/
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