Garber Bay Road: October 2012

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Nissan: Christian Meunier

Christian Meunier

Nissan: Nissan North America Offers Employee Pricing and Financing to Replace Vehicles Damaged by Hurricane Sandy

This release contains: 1 Related Document, 1 Photo

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Nissan North America will offer employee pricing and discounted financing on Nissan and Infiniti vehicles to eligible individuals in FEMA-designated disaster and emergency areas who need to replace vehicles lost to Hurricane Sandy.

"Nissan is a major player in the Northeast region with more than 225 dealers in the affected areas and is eager to lend a hand to neighbors who have been left without a means of personal transportation," said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, sales and marketing, NNA. "Nissan is offering both employee pricing and employee financing rates to eligible storm victims as one way to help them return to normal."

Customers may work with area dealers to apply this offer, which is effective Nov. 1, 2012, through Jan. 2, 2013. More information can be found by following a special "disaster relief" link at www.InsideNissan.com that should be posted by Friday. Any additional incentives on vehicles are stackable on top of the Nissan employee discounts.

Nissan Motor Acceptance Corp. (NMAC) will provide assistance to help eligible customers get back on their feet without the added burden of an immediate vehicle payment. NMAC's deferred payment plan will allow qualifying new customers purchasing a vehicle to delay payment up to three months, where allowed by law, to provide extra assistance to those in need.

For existing customers in FEMA disaster areas, payment extensions will be offered to both qualifying lease and retail customers for up to three payments without extension fees. Nissan's financial services division has been a leader in providing payment assistance to its customers in times of crisis.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

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Contact

Travis Parman
Nissan Americas
(615) 725-5828

Nissan: Nissan Wordmark

Nissan Wordmark

Nissan: Christian Meunier

Christian Meunier

Nissan: Christian Meunier

Christian Meunier

Nissan: Christian Meunier

Christian Meunier

Nissan: Nissan Announces Leadership Changes in Canada, Brazil

–Allen Childs to retire as president, Nissan Canada–
-Christian Meunier named president, Nissan Canada–
This release contains: 1 Related Document, 4 Photos

-Manuel De La Guardia named vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan Brazil-

FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Nissan today announced that Allen Childs will retire as president, Nissan Canada, following a distinguished career with the company. He will be replaced by Christian Meunier, currently president, Nissan Brazil, who will become president of Nissan's third largest market in the Americas. Both changes are effective January 1, 2013.

Childs' career at Nissan has spanned two decades including positions in regional operations, dealer operations, parts & service and marketing. In 2002, he became vice president, Nissan Canada sales before returning to Nissan North America (NNA) in 2006 as vice president, parts and service, where he successfully exceeded business plan objectives during an economic downturn. Named president of Nissan Canada in 2010, Childs led team in developing a comprehensive business improvement plan to strengthen the company's position in Canada—including actions to improve performance of the dealer network and to increase market share.

Meunier joined Nissan Europe in 2002 as general manager, sales & fleet and has held a variety of positions including vice president, sales in Nissan Europe and vice president, marketing at NNA where he established a strategy for interactive marketing and a comprehensive model-line marketing process. In his current role, he has overseen a significant expansion of Nissan's dealer network in Brazil and increasing market share with Nissan being Brazil's fastest-growing brand last year.

Manuel De La Guardia, currently managing director, Nissan Iberia, will become vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan Brazil, effective January 1, 2013. De La Guardia joined Nissan Iberia in 2007 as network general manager. Under his leadership, Nissan Iberia has experienced continuous growth with Nissan becoming the first Asian brand within the Spanish market to reach the eighth position in the top 10 sales. Manuel also significantly enhanced and transformed the dealer network, improving brand presence in strategic areas, which successfully contributed to significantly increased market share.

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About Nissan Americas
In the Americas, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America, the Nissan LEAF and zero emissions can be found at www.nissanusa.com

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

Contact:

Travis Parman
Nissan Americas
Tel #: (615) 725-5828

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Nissan: Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

This release contains: 1 Related Document, 3 Photos

MELBOURNE - Nissan unveiled a very special Altima at a launch event in Melbourne on Tuesday as the automaker prepares for entry in Australia's V8 Supercars Championship next season.

The Altima V8 Supercar is the first all-new model unveiled in two decades, as Nissan joins the championship with the four-car, factory Nissan Motorsport team.

Nissan Australia Managing Director and CEO William F. Peffer Jr. joined team co-owners and Bathurst-winning drivers Todd and Rick Kelly at the unveiling.

"This is a proud day for Nissan and a significant occasion for the sport of V8 Supercars," said Peffer.

"Everyone at Nissan is right behind our team, led by Todd and Rick Kelly, and we are excited about hitting the track next season with this spectacular Altima V8 Supercar."

The Altima V8 has been designed and built to the category's new 'Car of The Future' regulations, which include 18 inch (46cm) wheels, transaxle gearbox and independent rear suspension.

Nissan Motorsport will use the production-based VK56DE engine in the Altima V8 Supercar, the same engine that powered Nissan to FIA GT1 World Championship glory in 2011.

The VK56 engine also powers the all-new 2013 Nissan Patrol that goes on sale in Australia from 1 February 2013.

The significance of the occasion was not lost on Todd Kelly, 2005 Bathurst 1000 winner and team Racing Director.

"This is the proudest day in the relatively short history of our team, as well as one of the most significant days in recent times for the sport of V8 Supercars," said Kelly.

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Nissan: Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan: Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan: Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan: Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Nissan Australia Unveils 2013 Altima V8 Supercar

Monday, October 29, 2012

Nissan: M.Yanagida/T.Oeki/R.Quintarelli

M.Yanagida/T.Oeki/R.Quintarelli

Nissan: S Road REITO MOLA GT-R Climbs to Second, Finishes Mere Inches from the Victors

SUPER GT 2012 Round 8 - Race Report
This release contains: 1 Related Document, 1 Photo

TOCHIGI PREFECTURE, Japan – The final round of this year's SUPER GT series, the "Motegi GT 250km" took place on Sunday, October 28th at Twin Ring Motegi. After qualifying 7th, the #1 S Road REITO MOLA GT-R (Masataka Yanagida / Ronnie Qintarelli) made an excellent start and advanced throughout the race to finish 2nd, a mere hair's breadth away from the victors.

Rain fell from the morning of race day, and when the event got underway at 2pm, it was in wet conditions that the machines followed the Safety Car (SC) for two laps before being let loose on the 4.8-kilometre circuit. Crowned champions for the second season in succession in the previous round at Autopolis, the #1 MOLA GT-R had Quintarelli at the wheel for the opening stint. Immediately after the departure of the SC, two tours into the 53-lap thriller, the Italian vaulted into fifth place, and by lap nine had risen further to 2nd. With the rain occasionally falling quite heavily, being able to see the cars ahead was at times impossible; and when it let off, the fog presented another hinderance to visibility.

The #38 LEXUS SC430 led from the start, but despite its efforts to pull away, the #1 GT-R stuck to its tail, with Yanagida mounting an assault after the driver switch that saw the gap shrink lap after lap during the race's second half. In the end, the difference to the winners was less than a second, and there was much talk of a reversal of fortune for the 2nd-place finishers. Although the #38 SC430, itself fighting for a championship position, was able to stay ahead despite a violent attempt from Yanagida on the final lap, the gap was a scant 0.138 seconds as the cars reached the checkered flag in unison.

Driver Masataka Yanagida later commented, "Although I pursued the #38 machine relentlessly, Tachikawa never left a gap or made any mistakes. I was therefore unable to find a way past, much to my regret."

Meanwhile, Quintarelli relayed, "Despite a difficult start to the season, from the middle of the campaign things really turned around and we were able to achieve the results we had been aiming at. To be crowned champions two years running makes us all extremely happy. I'd like to thank all the fans who cheered us on throughout the rain today. We'll be doing our level best in the upcoming JAF Cup, and appreciate your continued support."

The #23 MOTUL AUTECH GT-R (Satoshi Motoyama/Michael Krumm) started from third on the grid, with Krumm onboard for the race's first half. The German driver snatched 2nd place right after the start, cementing his position in the event's early stages, only for his early progress to come undone as the car fell down the order later on. Pitting early in an attempt to turn the tide, he handed over to teammate Motoyama, who, through a gritty drive, maintained position and brought the car home in sixth place.

The #12 CALSONIC IMPUL GT-R (Tsugio Matsuda/Joao Paolo de Oliveira) was in attack mode throughout the weekend, recording good times in every session. After lining up eighth on the grid, Matsuda took the wheel for the start. Slight over-exuberance while running sixth saw the car go off track, losing a lot of time. Matsuda recovered to 10th place before handing the car over to de Oliveira. In his stint, the Brazilian had few opportunities in which to challenge, crossing the finish line where he had started, in 10th place.

Commencing their race from 15th position, the #24 D'station ADVAN GT-R (Hironobu Yasuda/Bjorn Wirdheim), with Wirdheim at the controls, ran a patient stint from the tail-end of the field. After Yasuda climbed aboard for the latter half, he protected his pace whilst avoiding coming into contact with a spinning front-running machine and other cars that went off track, to finish the race in eleventh position.

Contesting the GT300 class, the #3 S Road NDDP GT-R (Yuhi Sekiguchi/Katsumasa Chiyo) saw Sekiguchi take the start, with the aim of improving on the car's 6th-place qualifying spot. Although its chance of rising to the front was only slight, an intense battle with the #66 Aston Martin developed as it tried to move through the order, the results of which provided exciting on-track action. Even with no new tires going on the car in the driver switch, plus Chiyo's attempts to make up ground in the race's second half, improved pace was not forthcoming and the car finished in 6th place.

Comment by Nissan Teams General Director Kunihiko Kakimoto
"Were the tires that didn't perform well in the dry qualifying session at an advantage in the rain? The impression I get is that the difference in their performance was considerable. Although the winning #38 car was running on Bridgestone rubber, I think that the performance of the #23 machine was no less impressive as it claimed a sixth-place result. On the other hand, the #1 car had an excellent result considering its starting position of seventh and how it harried the leaders all the way to the flag. I am extremely proud of the fact that we have taken two successive championship titles, and we plan to thoroughly analyze the data accumulated during our run of three consecutive race victories on the way to the title this year. We will be concentrating on development so that the GT-R can play an equally active role next year also."

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Nissan: Nissan Teams with Sony Playstation® for Second Season of Nissan GT Academy Competition in U.S.

Season Two Begins November 1 on SPIKE TV
This release contains: 1 Related Document, 1 Photo

FRANKLIN, Tenn. –Nissan GT Academy is back for a second season, seeking to determine which of America's best Gran Turismo® video gamers has what it takes to become a professional racing driver.

Nissan North America, in collaboration with Sony Computer Entertainment America and Polyphony Digital, is announcing the first of six episodes to air on SPIKE TV beginning Thursday, November 1 at 11:30 p.m. Eastern/10.30 p.m. Central. The remaining episodes will air at the same time each Thursday night and will be available on the Nissan YouTube channel the following Monday. GT Academy will also be screened on MTV2, one week after the original airdate on SPIKE TV. For a preview, visit the GT Academy web site, GTAcademy.com.

In July, after three months of online competition, the top 32 out of 400,000 registered Gran Turismo online gamers, met at Comic-Con in San Diego to determine the 16 finalists for GT Academy. Over two days of virtual racing competition on identical gaming sleds, the fastest 16 were invited to the legendary Silverstone Racing complex in England to begin an intense boot camp that combined physical and psychological challenges in addition to on-track driving in a variety of performance vehicles.

The six-week GT Academy television series, hosted by ex-NFL player, Dhani Jones, will capture every challenge and all of the human drama of a very intense week. At the end of each episode, competitors' performances are evaluated and critiqued by pro racers Danny Sullivan, Maryeve Dufault and Boris Said. Those who don't make the cut go home. One winner emerges and remains in the U.K. to undergo intensive professional racing training that will qualify them to earn their international competition license.

"GT Academy is a program that we are really pleased to be a part of. It reinforces our values of excitement, innovation and performance above all else, while giving 16 people the opportunity to fulfill their dreams – and for one of them to potentially change their lives for good," said Jon Brancheau, VP Marketing, Nissan North America.

A new addition for season two is a second-screen experience, Pit Pass, which puts the viewer at the center of the action, making them feel more like a participant than a spectator. Building on the concept of "Victory Is Anyone's," viewers can visit GTAcademy.us via their smartphone or tablet devices while watching the show and enjoy access to exclusive segment-specific content while the show is playing on SPIKE TV, all via the browser and without needing to download an app. Each episode will have unique companion content, including video, interactive maps, polls, tutorials and fun facts, to drive deeper viewer engagement and inspire social media sharing. In addition, using Facebook Connect, the fan becomes the hero, enjoying the ability to create his/her own custom, adrenaline-charged GT Academy hot lap video, as well as immersing themselves in a rich, panoramic first person experience on the GT Academy website, optimized for the iPad and iPhone gyroscope technology.

The GT Academy concept has already proven successful. Both European and North American GT Academy competitions have produced race winners and top qualifiers in professional racing programs around the world. Europe's GT Academy Season One winner Lucas Ordóñez won the P2 Class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 in a Nissan-powered prototype, while a team of four GT Academy winners placed third-in-class in January at the 24 Hours of Dubai in a race-prepared Nissan 370Z.

The GT Academy program was developed by TBWA\Chiat\Day Los Angeles and OMD. Critical Mass is responsible for the GT Academy website, Pit Pass second-screen experience and first-person Facebook video.

About Gran Turismo®
With more than 65 million units sold worldwide, the award-winning Gran Turismo® franchise for the PlayStation®, PlayStation® 2 and PLAYSTATION® 3 is regarded as the best and most authentic driving simulation ever created due to its true-to-life graphics, physics and real-life cars and tracks. Since the inception of the Gran Turismo franchise, famed creator Kazunori Yamauchi and Polyphony Digital Inc. in Japan have revolutionized the racing category as we know it today. His offerings provide the gamer with the most true-to-life driving simulation within the industry and a unique medium for automotive manufacturers to showcase their products.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® systems, the PlayStation® 2 system, the PSP® (PlayStation® Portable) system, the ground-breaking PlayStation® 3 (PS3™) system and its online and network services the PlayStation® Network and PlayStation® Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one, PlayStation 2, PSP and PS3 systems for the North American market. Based in Foster City, California, Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Visit us on the Web at http://www.us.playstation.com

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.8 million vehicles in 2011, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($118.95 billion US). With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Spike TV
Spike TV is available in 98.7 million homes and is a division of Viacom Media Networks. A unit of Viacom (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), Viacom Media Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com and for up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs, visit Spike TV's press site at http://www.spike.com/press.

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Contact:

Steve Yaeger
Motorsports PR Manager
Nissan Americas
steve.yaeger@nissan-usa.com
+1-615-725-4443

Jennifer Clark
Sr Director, Product Public Relations
Sony Computer Entertainment America
jennifer_clark@playstation.sony.com
+1-650-655-5994

David Schwarz
Spike TV
david.schwarz@mtvstaff.com
+1-212-767-8639

Marianne Stefanowicz
Worldwide PR & Communications Director
TBWA Worldwide
marianne@tbwa.com
+1-212-804-1167

Celia Jones
Marketing Director
Critical Mass
celiaj@criticalmass.com
+1-312-705-4169

Nissan: Nissan GT Academy

Nissan GT Academy

Friday, October 26, 2012

Nissan: Nissan Production, Sales, and Export Results for September and the Six Months Period from April to September 2012

This release contains: 2 Related Documents, 1 Photo

YOKOHAMA, Japan – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced its production, sales and export figures for September and the six months from April to September, 2012.

1. Production
September
Nissan's global production in September decreased 11.4% year-on-year to 391,164 units.

Despite increased demand for the new Note and the new NV350 Caravan, production in Japan decreased 13.9% year-on-year to 96,585 units, due to lower demand for export models, including the Rogue.

Production outside of Japan decreased 10.6% year-on-year to 294,579 units.

Despite increased demand for the new Infiniti JX, production in the U.S. decreased 18.4% year-on-year to 40,948 units, due to lower volume caused by the preparation to transfer production of the Frontier pickup.

In Mexico, production decreased 10.8% year-on-year to 52,071 units, mainly due to decreased demand for Sentra, which is nearing the end of its lifecycle.

In the U.K., production increased 1.8% year-on-year to 45,855 units, mainly due to increased demand for Juke.

In Spain, production decreased 29.6% year-on-year to 11,859 units.

In China, production decreased 20.4% year-on-year to 90,394 units.

Production in other regions increased 17.5% year-on-year to 53,452 units, mainly due to increased demand for Sunny in India, the new Sylphy and Almera in Thailand, and the new Evalia (seven seat MPV) in Indonesia.

April-September
Nissan's global production from April to September increased 7.9% year-on-year to 2,430,207 units, marking a record high for the April-September period.

In Japan, domestic production increased 3.3% year-on-year to 557,523 units despite decreased volume from vehicles which are nearing the end of their lifecycles. The increase in production is due in part to the rebound in production after the impact of the earthquake in Japan last year, in addition to increased demand for Serena and the new Note.

Production outside of Japan increased 9.4% year-on-year to 1,872,684 units, marking a record high for the April-September period.

Compared to the prior year, production increased in the U.S., Mexico, the U.K. and China. In China, production increased 3.5% year-on-year to 628,446 units, marking an all-time record for the April-September period.

Production in other regions increased 19.2% year-on-year to 284,215 units, mainly due to increased demand in India and Indonesia.

2. Sales
September
Global sales in September decreased 11.2% year-on-year to 396,536 units.

Including mini-vehicles, Nissan sold 61,497 units in Japan, a decline of 9.7% year-on-year.

In Japan, vehicle registrations in September decreased 4.0% year-on-year to 51,307 units, due to decreased demand for the Nissan March and Juke, and despite increased demand for the new Note.

Mini-vehicle sales in Japan decreased 30.6% year-on-year to 10,190 units.

Sales outside of Japan decreased 11.5% year-on-year to 335,039 units.

Sales in the U.S. decreased 1.1% year-on-year to 91,907 units, due to slower sales of the Versa (which was released last year), in spite of increased demand for the Infiniti JX.

In Europe, sales decreased 10.4% year-on-year to 66,074 units.

In China, sales decreased 35.3% year-on-year to 76,066 units.

Sales in other regions increased 12.9% year-on-year to 75,814 units, mainly due to increased demand in Thailand, India and Indonesia.

April-September
Global sales increased 7.6% year-on-year to 2,407,148 units, marking a record high for the April-September period.

Including mini-vehicles, Nissan sold 303,805 units in Japan, up 7.5% year-on-year.

In Japan, vehicle registrations increased 4.5% year-on-year to 229,486 units, mainly due to increased demand for Serena, the new Note and the new NV350 Caravan.

Domestic sales of mini-vehicles increased 17.8% year-on-year to 74,319 units.

Sales outside of Japan increased 7.7% year-on-year to 2,103,343 units, marking a record high for the April-September period.

Sales increased in the U.S. and China. In China, sales increased 0.7% year-on-year to 612,905 units, marking an all-time record for the April-September period.

Sales in other regions increased 26.4% year-on-year to 459,146 units, mainly due to increased demand in Brazil, Thailand, India and Indonesia.

3. Japan Exports
September
Nissan's exports in September decreased 30.7% year-on-year to 54,633 units.

Exports to North America decreased 23.3% year-on-year to 32,326 units.

Exports to Europe decreased 49.6% year-on-year to 6,159 units.

April-September
Nissan's exports decreased 2.9% year-on-year to 330,977 units.

Exports to North America increased 8.2% year-on-year to 204,833 units, due to a rebound in sales after the impact of the earthquake in Japan last year.

Exports to Europe decreased 27.2% year-on-year to 39,319 units.

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Nissan: Nissan JUKE

Nissan JUKE

Nissan: The Dashboard: Episode II

This release contains: 1 Related Document, 1 Photo

YOKOHAMA, Japan - The Nissan Global Media Center presents the second edition of The Dashboard, our weekly program on the cars, people, technologies, motorsports, and relationships changing the automotive industry, particularly here in Asia.

This week we look at success for the Nissan DeltaWing at the Petit Le Mans, the challenges for Japanese companies in China amid a territorial dispute, the ramp up to build the Nissan LEAF in Tennessee, and what it takes to be a racetrack pit mechanic.

The Dashboard, every Friday, powered by Nissan.

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Nissan: The Dashboard: Episode II