Nissan: All New Models To Be Equipped With Fuel Efficiency Gauge

In part with the company’s environmental action plan, Nissan announced that all new models along with current models scheduled for minor facelifts will be equipped with a standard fuel efficiency gauge providing both instant and average consumption readings. According to Nissan’s tests, the fuel efficiency gauge tends to “lighten” a driver’s right foot, which potentially could lead to an average 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency. -Press release after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: TOKYO (21 August, 2007) – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, announced today that all future new models will be equipped with a fuel efficiency gauge to give drivers more information on how their driving style directly relates to fuel economy. The fuel efficiency gauge will also be equipped in current models scheduled for minor product freshenings*1 .

The gauge provides the driver with both instant fuel-efficiency and average efficiency readings. For example, by accelerating, the driver would instantly see an increase in fuel consumption reflected on the gauge. Based on Nissan’s trials, drivers have tended to improve their eco-driving habits over time, prompted by the real-time fuel-efficiency readings. Driving improvements also included smoother acceleration and braking, which potentially could lead to an average 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency*2.

In January 2007, Nissan introduced the eco-driving information service through its CARWINGS navigation system to promote more economical driving habits*3. Through the installation of the fuel efficiency gauge on the instrument-cluster as a standard feature on all new models, Nissan will extend the awareness of eco-driving to a wider driving audience.

The introduction of the fuel efficiency gauge is in line with the company's overall efforts to launch a wide range of environmental technologies under the Nissan Green Program 2010 mid-term environmental action plan.

• *1: Current model range include the SKYLINE, LAFESTA and ATLAS in Japan, and the ALTIMA, INFINITI G35 in the U.S.
• *2: 10% average based on Nissan's internal test results. The figure may vary based on individual driving style.
• *3: CARWINGS services include listing the average fuel-efficiency of CARWINGS members on the CARWINGS website via monthly rankings and weekly web updates on green driving techniques.