Nissan will unveil a prototype of their new global electric vehicle when the company officially opens their new headquarters in Yokohama, Japan on August 2.
Although little is known about the upcoming EV, AutoCar reports it will be a mid-size five door hatchback with unique styling. The car will be propelled by an advanced lithium-ion battery developed by AESC. Nissan says it offers twice the power of a traditional "li-lo" battery, while providing unparalleled performance and reliability.
Nissan will start with a production rate of 50,000 units per year, ramping up the build rate as mass-marketing begins around 2012-13. The EV motor will be produced in Yokohama and the inverter will initially be made at Nissan's Zama plant.
Nissan is also pushing ahead with the next Micra, coyly described as its 'global entry car'. This will launch in spring 2010. Nissan will produce this car both in India (for European markets) and Thailand (for Japan) but China and two other as-yet-unnamed nations will also make the car that's on line to sell one million units a year after manufacturing is fully ramped up.
Look for the production model to be officially unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in October.
Source: autocar via worldcarfans
