| The threat of global warming and increasing prices of | | | | new and cleaner engine since the demand for green |
| gasoline has affected the auto industry globally. | | | | cars have been steadily increasing in recent years. |
| Motorists once favoring bigger cars like sport utility | | | | Currently, the Yokohama plant is producing engines |
| vehicles and pickup trucks are now looking for smaller | | | | used in different Nissan and Infiniti models. Minivans, |
| and more fuel efficient vehicles. | | | | sport utility vehicles, and smaller cars from Nissan and |
| This demand for smaller vehicles has spurred the | | | | its luxury division are just some of the vehicles |
| global auto industry to develop and produce more | | | | equipped with engines manufactured at the plant and |
| fuel efficient vehicles. In fact, a new breed of | | | | these have been made so as to complement all |
| vehicles has been created solely for this demand - | | | | other Nissan components like Nissan shocks. |
| the crossover vehicles. Hybrid vehicles are also gaining | | | | The Nikkei, Japan's leading business daily, reported |
| a wide following in the auto market. In response to | | | | that the planned increase in engine production is in |
| this, car manufacturers have stepped up their | | | | connection with the increased automobile production |
| production of compact vehicles. | | | | overseas. In the United States, the demand for |
| Nissan, the third largest Japanese car manufacturer, | | | | compact cars like the Nissan Versa has prompted the |
| recently expressed their dedication to producing | | | | car manufacturer to increase production. The |
| smaller cars by announcing that they will be increasing | | | | increased production of vehicles therefore needs |
| engine production at their Yokohama facility. The | | | | engines and the investment in the Yokohama plant is |
| Asian brand announced that they will be allocating 6.4 | | | | expected to supply adequate engines. |
| billion yen by the end of 2007 in the said endeavor. It | | | | Aside from the Versa, the Nissan Altima is also |
| can be remembered that in 2006, the car | | | | gaining ground in the U.S. auto market. The Altima |
| manufacturer from the Orient has earmarked a sum | | | | remains as the top selling model of the Japanese |
| of eleven billion yen as an investment in the | | | | brand. Hybrid vehicles are also being looked into as |
| expansion of their business both domestic and also | | | | the future of fuel efficient vehicles and Nissan is one |
| abroad. | | | | of the numerous car manufacturers to offer hybrid |
| The allocated amount will be used to boost the | | | | vehicles. A hybrid version of the Nissan Altima |
| engine production of the Nissan Yokohama plant. | | | | mid-size sedan is currently being offered by the |
| Currently, the engine can produce approximately | | | | company to its consumers in the United States. |
| 80,000 engines annually. With the investment, the | | | | Last month, the company's sales figures show the |
| facility is expected to produce 760,000 engines by | | | | increased demand for smaller vehicles. For the month |
| the end of next year. | | | | of March, strong sales of the Versa, Altima, and the |
| Aside from boosting the engine production, the | | | | Infiniti G sedan boost the car manufacturer's March |
| allocated money will also be spent in developing a | | | | sales by 8 percent compared to sales output in |
| new generation of engines. Nissan aims to produce a | | | | March 2006. |