LOS ANGELES (Bloomberg) — The Renault SA-Nissan Motor Co. alliance has hired Jim Press, former head of Toyota Motor Corp.’s U.S. unit, as a consultant for the group’s global sales and marketing.

Press, 63, who most recently was Chrysler Group’s vice chairman and president, has worked for Renault-Nissan for about four months, said Simon Sproule, a spokesman for the alliance.

“He’s visited with our dealers in the States, Europe and Japan and has already begun providing substantial input,” Sproule said by phone.

Press, however, may be considering jobs with at least one other Asian automaker, according to a Dow Jones report today. Continue reading Nissan-Renault hires former Toyota, Chrysler boss Jim Press as adviser

Nissan Leaf EV priced under 30,000 euros after incentives
Buyers in 4 European markets can order car in July

The European starting price for the Nissan Leaf full-electric car will be less than 30,000 euros ($36,976) after incentives, the Japanese automaker announced Monday.

The Leaf is arguably the most daring car in Nissan’s history. Along with French alliance partner Renault SA, Nissan Motor Co. has invested more than 4 billion euros in electric vehicles, the company said in a statement Monday. Continue reading Nissan Leaf EV priced under 30,000 euros after incentives

Supposedly previewing Nissan’s new small crossover model that’s expected in 2010, the Qazana made its first ever appearance at the Geneva Motor Show. It goes without saying the production model that will be built at the firm’s Sunderland plant in the UK, will feature a much less dramatic design that the concept study. That said, don’t expect to see the Qazana’s suicide rear-doors or 20-inch alloys making it into production.

“The Qazana concept is an intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets,” said Atsushi Maeda, Studio Chief Designer, Nissan Design Europe. “Our team at Nissan Design Europe (NDE) in London realized this image with the motif of a modern day beach buggy and four-seat motor-bike,” Atsushi added. Continue reading Nissan Qazana Small Crossover Study