Nissan Motor Co announced a record annual loss on Tuesday, as the coronavirus pandemic impacted vehicle sales and a global semiconductor shortage forced the automaker to reduce demand.

Nissan, Japan's third-largest automaker by revenue, said its annual operating loss increased to 150.65 billion yen ($1.38 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 31, up from a 40 billion yen deficit the previous year. It was the automaker's worst result in 12 years, with no benefit since March 2019. However, thanks to a sales rebound in China and cost cuts, it beat its February estimate of a 205 billion yen loss.

Since the end of last year, the global auto industry has been dealing with a chip shortage, which has recently been aggravated by a fire at a chip plant in Japan and blackouts in Texas, where a number of chipmakers have factories.

Due to the chip shortage, Nissan had to slash production of its best-selling Note compact car in Japan and make short-term output changes at its North American operations last quarter, as it pulls back from the global expansion sought by ousted chairman Carlos Ghosn.

The carmaker said it aims to break even in the new fiscal year, which began on April 1. This is smaller than the 241.7 billion yen profit expected by 18 analysts compiled by SmartEstimate.

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Nissan has licensed an advanced technology to APB Corporation that will allow mass production of lower-cost, safer lithium-ion batteries with increased charging capacity.

Backed by investment from major companies, Tokyo-based APB plans to build a factory in Japan that will use Nissan’s technology to make all-polymer batteries for storage use.

All-polymer batteries are said to be the next generation of lithium-ion batteries. Nissan’s technology, known as bipolar structure all-polymer battery technology, will help consumers and communities to more effectively using low-cost or renewable energy at a lower initial cost.

“We believe the widespread adoption of this technology will contribute to fulfilling the U.N.’s sustainable development goals and help realize a sustainable, low-carbon society,” said Hideki Kimata, vice president of the corporate strategy and business development division at Nissan.

Nissan began researching and developing lithium-ion batteries in the early 1990s. In 1997, Nissan launched the Prairie Joy EV and became a pioneer in installing lithium-ion batteries in commercial electric cars. Since then, Nissan has continued to research core technologies and pursue innovation in the field of EV batteries.

Bipolar structure all-polymer battery technology: an overview Nissan lithium battery

In an all-polymer battery with a bipolar structure, the liquid electrolyte and metal electrodes used in conventional batteries are replaced with polymers. The front and back of the battery cell are made of a polymer current collector. The front and back each have a negative or positive polarity and forms part of the battery case. By stacking a number of these cells together, and assembled battery with a bipolar structure is created.

The technology increases charging capacity relative to battery volume, while also enhancing safety by replacing liquid electrolytes with polymers. The simplified structure also lowers cost.

Application to stationary batteries

Mainstream use of stationary batteries with this technology will help individual customers make effective use of low-cost electricity, such as renewable energy from solar panels or electricity purchased from the grid during off-peak hours, with a smaller initial investment.

As a result, local communities can limit electricity use during peak hours and use power in a more stable and efficient manner. This reduces the risk of blackouts due to disasters or technical failures and can contribute to a safer, cleaner energy supply.

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In celebration of World EV Day, Nissan today marked the production of the 500,000th LEAF, the world’s first mass-market 100% electric car. With half a million LEAFs built globally, customers around the world continue to embrace the pioneering zero-emission vehicle.

The 500,000th LEAF found its happy owner, Maria Jansen, in Norway.

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The milestone was achieved at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England, almost a decade after the model first went on sale.

The Nissan LEAF has won accolades around the world including World Car of the Year 2011, Car of the Year 2011 in Europe, and Car of the Year Japan in 2011 and 2012. More importantly, the car has earned the trust of hundreds of thousands of customers. The 500,000th LEAF found its happy owner, Maria Jansen, in Norway.

LEAF owners have driven more than 14.8 billion clean-air kilometers since 2010. Collectively, they have helped prevent more than 2.4 billion kilograms of CO2 emissions.

During recent lockdowns, air quality improved around the world due to a decrease in CO2-emitting activities. In Europe, studies show that 68% of people support measures to prevent a return to previous levels of air pollution.

“Consumers have seen what cleaner air and reduced noise pollution feel like during lockdowns,” said Helen Perry, head of electric passenger cars and infrastructure at Nissan Europe. “Now more than ever, they’re looking to take positive steps towards a more sustainable future and the Nissan LEAF contributes to this effort.”

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The upcoming Nissan Magnite SUV is one of the most-awaited cars in the segment ever since it made its global debut in India last month.

Source

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The leaked image reveals variant-wise prices of the SUV, suggesting that it will get a starting price of INR 5,50,000 (ex-showroom) for the 1.0-litre XE petrol variant. And, the top-of-the-line 1.0-litre turbo petrol XV premium CVT variant will cost INR 9,55,000 (ex-showroom).

If SUV launched at the above-mentioned starting price, it will not only undercut the segment leaders like Suzuki Vitara Brezza and Hyundai Venue but also recently launched Kia Sonet SUV by a good margin. The official India prices are yet to be announced and can expect Nissan to reveal them later this month.

The SUV is manufactured at the company's manufacturing facility, in Oragadam, Chennai. Nissan will be using the same facility to cater to both the domestic and export markets.

The Nissan has already revealed engine specifications, features, and various other details of the soon-to-be-launched Magnite SUV. Mechanically, the SUV will get two petrol engine options - the 1.0-litre naturally aspirated motor and the new 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine. 

The naturally aspirated motor will make 71 bhp and 96 Nm of power figures and will come mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard. The turbocharged motor will churn out 99 bhp and 160 Nm of peak torque. Transmission options will include a 5-speed manual and a CVT automatic transmission. As for fuel efficiency, the manual and CVT variants with 1.0-litre turbo-petrol unit will return a mileage of 20 kmpl and 17.7 kmpl respectively. 

Price in Nepal

VARIANTS		PRICE
Magnite	XE	3,199,000.00
Magnite	XL	3,499,000.00
Magnite	XV	3,799,000.00
Magnite	XV (Dual)	3,834,000.00
Magnite	XV Premiun	4,149,000.00
Magnite	XV Premium (Dual)	4,184,000.00
Magnite Turbo	XL	3,999,000.00
Magnite Turbo	XV	4,299,000.00
Magnite Turbo	XV (Dual)	4,334,000.00
Magnite Turbo	XV Premium	4,599,000.00
Magnite Turbo	XV Premiun (Dual)	4,634,000.00

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