Nissan:too early to concern hybrids

　　The subsidy policy of private purchase of new energy vehicles introduced in June 1 and the energy saving and new energy vehicle development plan will be reported to the State Council in July both convey a clear signal that in terms of technical route of energy-saving and new energy vehicles, the Chinese government will choose pure electric vehicles based strategies tend to realize a leap-forward of the automobile industry. SOHU AUTO has launched a debate on China new energy vehicle technical lines and largely visited the authority in order to clarify the opportunities and risks of various routes for the industry to comment on and the Government to take as a reference.

　　As a global leader in new energy automotive industry, what opinion does Nissan hold towards China new energy subsidy policy? Late last month, Carlos Ghosn, Nissan chief executive said he would not launch LEAF in China if the Chinese government does not make a decision to encourage the consumption of electric vehicles. And this time, affected by rule electric car can get a subsidy of 60,000 Yuan; Nissan is considering the production of electric vehicle LEAF directly in the joint venture in China. Right at this time, SOHU AUTO had the honor to interview Yasuaki Hashimoto, Managing Director of the Nissan (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

　　SOHU: how to evaluate the subsidy policy of private purchase of new energy vehicles introduced by Chinese Government? Do you think it means pure electric other than hybrid vehicles have been identified as a prior technical route?

　　Hashimoto: As people become increasingly concerned about the environment, with environmentally friendly zero emission, pure electric cars will become the most effective new energy solution to improve the environment as well as resolve the issue of energy saving and emission reduction as at the present stage.

　　The Chinese government has promised that by 2020, carbon emission per unit of GDP will be reduced by 50%. To achieve this goal, the Government has continued to focus on issues such as energy saving and environmental protection these two years and launched a series of policies to promote the use of new energy sources. The subsidy policy of new energy vehicles, especially electric vehicles has demonstrated the determination of the Chinese government to develop zero emission electric cars. The tendency of the policy shows Chinese government really think pure electric vehicles play a significant role in energy conservation and emission reduction. Over time, hybrid technology and electric cars will be in a coexistence state.

　　SOHU: What technical line do you think China should adopt, to develop various routes at the same time or focus on the pure electric cars, or other strategies?

　　Hashimoto: Nissan has been working to become a leader in the cause of zero emission and insisted the zero-emission vehicle will be the final solution to address environmental problems and to solve the energy crisis. At the present stage, pure electric vehicles will be key way to achieve zero emission.

　　At the same time, Nissan has also been carrying on research and development of other new energy, including hybrid and fuel cells. In addition, Nissan also attaches great importance to the improvement of traditional automotive technology. Nissan’s high-power technology and new generation of innovative CVT transmission have so effectively enhanced fuel economy of the traditional vehicles.

　　SOHU: what about the new energy strategy of your company? Will it get some adjustments because of the subsidy policy?

　　Hashimoto: Nissan has long been committed to worldwide promotion of zero emission vehicles. Currently, Nissan has planned to first promote electric vehicles in the United States, Japan and Europe this year and introduce to China in the year of 2011 and finally achieve worldwide large-scale promotion in 2012.

　　China is an important regional market to Nissan’s worldwide new energy strategy. At the present stage, the popularity of electric vehicles in China still needs the support of the government. Nissan will pay close attention to related policies for new energy vehicles and constantly promote the development of zero-emission cars in China under the guidance general corporate development strategy as well as with the goal of introducing LEAF to China in 2011.

　　SOHU: Can you say something about Nissan’s planning about in the new energy vehicle products? And the issuing plan?

　　Hashimoto: Nissan plans to launch a zero emission electric model NISSAN LEAF firstly in Chinese market in the following year before the 2012 global mass-production in 2012. To achieve this process, Nissan has established a zero-emission partnership with the Ministry of industry and information technology, Wuhan and Guangzhou Municipal Government to fully support the development of zero-emission electric vehicles in China.

　　Currently Nissan has signed a further cooperation agreement with the Wuhan Municipal Government. Starting from 2011, the two partials will use 25 Nissan electric cars to take the lead in the market research of the promotion of the electric cars in Wuhan. Besides, Wuhan municipal government also plans to build 250 charging devices to support the smooth operation of electric vehicles in the next two years. Designated areas in Wuhan will also be equipped with two fast charge equipments. In addition, on this basis, the two partials will also conduct cooperation in the promotion of electric vehicles targeting the public.

　　SOHU: Do you have any suggestions to development of China’s new energy automotive industry?

　　Hashimoto: As people become increasingly concerned about the environment, the demand for new energy vehicles will be the trend. The process of industrialization will be affected by objective factors such as the manufacturing costs, oil prices and government incentives and other. At the initial stage, infrastructural construction should be improved continually. With the help of appropriate incentives, the government needs to enhance the cognition of the consumers continuously so as to form purchasing needs and virtuous circle.

　　In terms of the technology, at present, for electric vehicles, not only in China, even worldwide, car battery technology is still the key factor determining the development of electric vehicle. Whether international or domestic manufacturers have still waiting a breakthrough on battery technology.

　　As to infrastructure, in the process of developing new energy automotive industry in China, the issue of supporting infrastructure should be also addressed. Since the situation in China is different from Europe and the United States, how to build infrastructures such as electric car charging infrastructure pile will be so varied from the experiences abroad.

　　As to soft power, the development of new energy vehicles will have to be match with new promotion and marketing model. New energy auto products are different from traditional cars, especially in the early expansion stage.

　　SOHU: What about the domestic production planning of Nissan’ pure electric cars in the future? Which JV will the mass production be carried out in?

　　Hashimoto: the domestic production of the electric cars is mainly determined by the four factors, subsidy policy, infrastructure, charging standards and the penetration of electric vehicles. Now the new energy subsidy policy introduced is only the first step in promoting electric vehicles. As more details have not yet confirmed, to discussion the domestic production of the Nissan electric car currently is too early.

　　(Translator: Yalong/Jessie)

　　See original Chinese report Please click: http://auto.sohu.com/20100701/n273215169.shtml