NV Guide

First Drive: 2012 Nissan NV2500 HD They Mean Business: Nissan Takes on E-Series and Express Nissan NV Forum - What would you do with 323 cubic feet of space on wheels? (I'd swear my first apartment was smaller than that.) Nissan hopes there are plenty of small-fleet owners -- companies with less than 15 vehicles -- and individual buyers who are interested in this huge amount of space, available in the new NV line of vans. The company has done extensive research on the van market, and learned that owners in this segment are the least satisfied with their vehicles. Nissan saw this as a huge opportunity. After all, there's the rugged Titan platform; put a van body on there, and -- presto, change-o -- you have a van, right? Not quite. By the time the engineers were done, the only things the NV line of vans shared with the Titan were an engine, transmission, and a similar-looking snout. The vans will be sold as the NV1500 (standard roof only), NV2500 HD, and NV3500 HD. The biggest difference between the 2500 HD and 3500 HD is that the tires are different, and the 3500 gets heavier-duty springs. All three will be available in S or topline SV trims, and the 2500 and 3500 HDs are offered with a standard roof or high roof. Power comes from either a 4.0-liter, 261-horsepower V-6 or the Titan's 317-horse, 5.6-liter V-8, both backed by a five-speed automatic. The V-6 is standard with the 1500, and the standard and high-roof 2500. It is a surprise that the Titan isn't available with a diesel at launch, but it's an option the company is considering for the future. READ MORE HERE.

Nissan to Offer Commercial Truck in U.S. With Mississippi Plant Expansion Nissan NV Forum - Nissan Motor Co. is building its first commercial trucks for the U.S. as Japan’s third-largest automaker seeks to boost regional revenue by expanding beyond sales of passenger cars and light trucks. Nissan today marked the start of assembly of NV commercial vans at its Canton, Mississippi, plant that previously made only light-duty pickups and sport-utility vehicles and Altima sedans. The Yokohama-based company said it spent $118 million to modify the plant to accommodate commercial-truck production. Given an improving U.S. economy, “we’re in a prime position to capture that tremendous pent-up demand for replacement vehicles,” Joe Castelli, Nissan’s vice president of commercial vehicles, said during a press conference webcast from the facility. “We plan on becoming a major player in the U.S.” Nissan, which for decades has sold commercial trucks in Japan and other overseas markets, will fight for U.S. sales against Daimler AG’s Sprinter vans and General Motors Co.’s Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. Ford Motor Co. is also targeting a bigger share of U.S. commercial van and truck sales. READ MORE HERE.

Nissan NV cargo vans to spawn diesel, passenger carriers NissanNVForum.com - According to Nissan, the automaker’s recently-announced NV commercial cargo vans will eventually be offered in other configurations including a multi-row people-carrying variant and, potentially, a Cummins diesel-powered model. “We’re going to try to bring a passenger version along in the next 12 to 18 months,” Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Commercial Vehicles and Fleet, told PickupTrucks.com. “The full-size commercial vehicle market is like a big jigsaw puzzle and passenger vans are a nice piece of the segment. Bus versions are also a nice piece.” READ MORE HERE

At A Glance: 2011 Nissan NV NissanNVForum.com - The 2011 Nissan NV (Nissan Van) marks Nissan's first entry into the commercial vehicle market in North America. Scheduled to launch in late 2010, the Nissan NV will be available in three models, NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD, and in two roof configurations - Standard Roof and High Roof. The NV is the first High Roof commercial van to offer rugged body-on-frame construction. High Roof models allow most users to walk and stand in the cargo area. The NV's rugged, masculine design combines a full-length hood with access to the engine for service and maintenance, along with signature Nissan styling cues such as large headlights and vertical grille. The broad bodysides project a serious commercial vehicle appearance and provide ample room for company logos or advertising messages. The tall, wide doors offer easy access to the cab and cargo areas. Inside the cab is a roomy comfortable interior with wide, supportive seating and an expansive instrument panel. The passenger seat includes a segment-exclusive fold-down feature, providing a convenient worktable. An available center console offers innovative storage compartments and space to hold binders and a laptop computer. Other convenient storage spaces include a wide overhead console (available with High Roof models) and large door pockets. The NV also provides exceptional utility, thanks to a long, wide cargo floor, square-top wheelwell housings and nearly vertical sidewalls. Along with maximizing cargo space, the sidewalls accommodate aftermarket storage systems without excessive modification. The cargo area also features a full-length inner panel to prevent cargo from denting the vehicle's outer skin. There are also multiple weld-nut attachment points for mounting shelving and racks. Powering the rear-wheel drive Nissan NV will be a choice of two powerful yet fuel-efficient engines - a 4.0-liter V6 and 5.6-liter V8. Both will be mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission. Highlights of the 2011 Nissan NV commercial van include: Exterior Features * Body-on-frame construction * Choice of Standard Roof or High Roof body * Strong masculine styling with iconic Nissan signature front end design * Long hood for easy engine compartment access and serviceability * Large side panels for advertising or business signage * Large, wide-opening front and rear doors, sliding passenger-side door * Standard Roof models fit in most garages and fast food/bank drive-through lanes and car washes * High Roof models provide easy cargo area ingress and egress, comfortable walk-through and stand capability Engines and Driveline * Front engine/rear-wheel drive * 4.0-liter 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 * 5.6-liter 32-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V8 * Standard 5-speed automatic transmission * Independent front suspension with stabilizer bar, solid rear axle with leaf springs and stabilizer bar * Engine-speed-sensitive hydraulic re-circulating ball steering system * Heavy-duty 4-wheel disc brakes with 14.1-inch rotors and 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) * 17-inch steel wheels and LT245/70R17 all-season tires Interior/Cargo Area Features * Simple, flexible layout designed to meet multiple customer requirements * Ample legroom and foot room * Multi-function front layout and storage * Comfortable, durable front seats with range of adjusts, available lumbar support * Heavy-duty fabrics and materials, water repellent fabric on main seating surfaces * Fold-down passenger seatback with one-hand operation, serves as mobile worktable * Available center console with room for digital cameras, mobile phone chargers, garage door opener, business card holder, letter size files, laptop computer; laptop computer/mobile phone charger outlet inside center console * Available four cupholders, instrument panel storage compartments * Available overhead console (High Roof models) with room for gloves, legal-size binder, system books, safety glasses * Large door pockets with room for flashlights, legal-size binder, 1-liter bottle * Large cargo floor, square-top wheelwells * Available upfitter pre-wiring * Wide-coverage cargo area lighting system * Multiple power outlets, including available 3-prong 120V outlet * Cargo area side inner panels * Multiple weld-nut attachment points for securing shelving and rack systems * Recessed "D" tie-down rings * Available Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System * Available Navigation system and RearView Monitor Safety and Security * Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors) * 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters * Available supplemental front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags Models and Manufacturing * Offered in three well-equipped models: NV1500, NV2500 HD, NV3500 HD * Available in Standard Roof and High Roof body configurations (NV2500, NV3500 series) * Assembled by Nissan North America Manufacturing Canton, Mississippi Plant

Nissan NV Debuts at NTEA Work Truck Show; Breakthrough Design Brings New Thinking to CV Van Segment NissanNVForum.com - Nissan Enters North American Commercial Vehicle Market with Innovative Standard and High Roof Vans Designed to "Help Businesses Run Better" As Nissan finalizes plans to bring its first production commercial vehicle (CV) to the North American market in late 2010, it is starting with a truly ground up design - from its rugged ladder frame to the roof rack mounting brackets on the top of the innovatively conceived and styled body. Yet the all-new Nissan NV (Nissan Van) also has the advantage of Nissan's exceptional commercial vehicle heritage, covering 75 years and more than 75 percent of the global CV market. "The new kid on the block, as it turns out, is also a long-time player in the global commercial vehicle market. As the first non-domestic nameplate to design, manufacture and sell CVs in the United States, we bring a more than seven-decade tradition of durability, quality and reliability to our products," said Joe Castelli, vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Fleet, Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA). "At the same time, we've taken a fresh look at every aspect of the CV business - including styling, powertrain, interiors, cost of operation and ownership, dealership sales and service operations and, most importantly, real world customer needs." The first production models in Nissan's new North American CV lineup are the 2011 Nissan NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. They will be available with a choice of 4.0-liter V6 and 5.6-liter V8 engines and in two body styles, Standard Roof (all models) and High Roof (NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD only) - with High Roof models offering stand-up walkthrough/work cargo area capability. "It's been too many years since any manufacturer in this segment has taken a "clean sheet" look at the needs of owners and operators in the CV segment," said Castelli. "We've invested more than five years researching the comfort, style and smart functionality demands that will enable business owners to accomplish more throughout their day. We plan on coming out of the box with segment-busting vehicles, so customer input was essential." The NV planning team employed a wide range of innovative customer research methodologies, including focus groups, on-site visits and concept reviews. The quantitative and qualitative research took place all across America - Los Angeles, Chicago, New Jersey, Dallas, Detroit, New York, Minnesota, Arizona and other markets. The team met with large fleet owners and managers, small business owners, aftermarket suppliers and converters and rode along with owners of competitive vehicles. "The NV is one of the most researched projects ever in the history of Nissan. We touched the market at every point possible, with the findings reflected in every aspect of the final NV design," added Castelli. Comfortable Seating and Standing Research showed that commercial van owners are the least satisfied of any vehicle segment, with many van owners disposing of their vehicles in favor of light duty trucks despite the compromise of convenience and utility. In developing the new Nissan NV, one of the overarching goals was to combine pickup truck-like comfort, interior amenities and drivability with a cargo van's capacity and security. "Looking at the CV market in recent years, there's been a migration of van users to light-duty pickups due to the lack of comfort, image and dependability of the current outdated van platforms," explained Castelli. "Yet many of these truck owners admit they need a van for weather protection, security and the convenience of a tall roof van to carry large items or equipment. With the Nissan NV, we're giving them the best of both worlds." Answering one of the major unmet owner needs - driver comfort and roominess - the Nissan NV interior starts with wide front doors for easy ingress and egress, supportive bucket seating with extensive adjustability, large armrests and a truck-like driving position with ample legroom and foot room. The available center console (removable) provides a range of integrated storage features, while the fold-down passenger seat - which is unique to the segment - adds worktable functionality and enhances the cab's feeling of openness. Another major contributor to the pickup-like cab is the absence of the traditional CV engine "doghouse" that intrudes into the cab due to the setback engine placement. The Nissan NV utilizes a conventional truck engine layout with the engine and transmission located ahead of the firewall/A-pillar. This not only frees up space under the instrument panel and between the seats, it also provides easy under-hood access to the entire engine for routine service and maintenance. "From the seats forward the NV looks, acts and feels like a pickup. You don't have to take apart the interior to access the engine and you don't have to worry about tucking your work boots into a cramped footwell," said Castelli. "But, make no mistake, behind the seats the NV is pure, practical van." The NV's ample cargo area offers a 120.7-inch cargo floor length and 70.3-inch maximum cargo floor width. NV Standard Roof models offer a maximum 55.4 cargo area height, among the tallest in class. The NV High Roof provides a maximum 76.5-inches of cargo room height - enough for most users to move about the cargo area while standing up straight. "Standard Roof NV models are designed to fit in most garages or go through most car washes and fast food drive-through lanes - along with offering easier reach to access roof racks," said Castelli. "But for so many businesses, the added cargo capacity and the ability to stand up and work inside the High Roof NV will be a priceless enhancement to their everyday operations and productivity." Smart Functionality and Flexible Layout Inspired by customer needs and usage, the Nissan NV offers an amazing array of smart functionality features, including storage pockets, spaces and compartments designed to provide secure access to the typical commercial customers" everyday use objects. An under seat drawer, for example, fits small tools, stationary or first aid kits, while the deep door pockets fit flashlights, legal-size binders and clipboards. High Roof models offer an available overhead console designed to hold work gloves, legal size binders, safety glasses and system books. The available center console (removable) fits letter size files and laptop computers - and includes a computer or mobile phone charging point. "A commercial van must serve many more functions today, including acting as a mobile office for time spent on the road or at a job site," said Castelli. "We've made storage and productivity items integral to the design, rather than tacked-on afterthoughts. The result is a clean, practical and comfortable workspace for a wide variety of professions and businesses." Along with being conceived as a "mobile office," the Nissan NV is designed to function as a "mobile workshop" - thanks to its simple, flexible cargo area layout. Along with offering wide door openings, the NV offers room between the wheelhouses to accommodate standard plywood or drywall sheets or pallets. There are also a range of cargo area tie-down rings and ample cargo area lighting. The new Nissan NV was also designed to accommodate aftermarket outfitting and modifications. For example, the roof rack mounting brackets are designed for various rack systems without piercing holes in the roof, which can lead to corrosion and water leaks. The available "upfitter pre-wiring" allows easy access into the electrical system. The NV also offers a full-length cargo area inner panel to protect the outer walls from dents and dings from the inside, and there are multiple weld-nut attachment points for shelving and racks - again requiring no sheet metal drilling. In addition, the NV's nearly vertical sidewalls maximize the usable cargo space, accommodating common aftermarket storage systems, as well as a bulkhead behind the driver. Three Well-Equipped Models Cost of ownership and operation is a critical factor in the CV segment, whether for major fleet operations or individual business owners. "From the rugged fully boxed all-steel frame to the body-on-chassis construction, the NV is designed to the highest Nissan standards of durability, quality and reliability," said Castelli. "The NV is designed to be affordable and to stand up to the abuse that real work trucks face everyday." The new Nissan NV will launch with a choice of two engines - a powerful yet fuel efficient 4.0-liter V6 or a powerful, torquey 5.6-liter V8. Both engines will be matched to a standard 5-speed automatic. Safety systems include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors), 3-point front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, available supplemental front seat-mounted side-impact air bags and roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags. The 2011 Nissan NV will be offered in three well-equipped models, the NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD. All three models will be available with the Standard Roof, while the High Roof body will be offered in the NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD models only. Additional information regarding standard features, trim levels and optional equipment will be provided later. The new Nissan NV will be manufactured in Canton, Mississippi and available through a select network of authorized Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide. For updates and more information, please go to www.nissancommercialvehicles.com.

Nissan NV2500 Revealed NissanNVForum.com - Since Nissan unceremoniously removed itself from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show last month, we've wondered just how they planned to unveil the Nissan NV2500 concept scheduled to debut there. Now we know. We're here at Nissan's Farmington Hills, MI design facility where the curtain was just publicly dropped on the heavy duty industrial-style truck van hybrid which features a fully mobile office and enclosed cargo area. This concept forecasts Nissan's intent to enter the commercial vehicle market in the 2011 model year, coinciding with Nissan's 75th anniversary in commercial vehicles world wide. READ MORE HERE

Nissan work van hauls 'why-didn't we-think-of-that?' features Nissan NV Forum - It may be one of the least sexy vehicles Nissan Motor Co. has ever unveiled: a big white commercial van with blank side panels and a bare interior. But the new NV2500 that Nissan executives presented to the public here Wednesday at the 2010 Work Truck Show represents a daring challenge to the U.S. commercial truck status quo. Nissan wants to use convenience features, like pre-drilled shelving holes and spill-resistant seat fabrics, to challenge the Detroit 3 for a modest piece of their near-total control of the full-sized van segment. READ MORE HERE

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