Nissan Picks Assembly Site for Altima Hybrid

Vehicles such as the Ford Escape Hybrid, Lexus RX 400h, Honda Civic Hybrid and Honda Accord Hybrid are signs that

Manufacturers are eye-to-eye with consumers' more reserved tastes, wrapping performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technology in a package that's familiar to the masses. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

manufacturers are eye-to-eye with consumers' more reserved tastes, wrapping performance-enhancing and fuel-saving technology in a package that's familiar to the masses. Nissan's first Hybrid will be like the latest batch of 'anonymous' hybrids, bearing only minor differences such as trim levels, badging and wheels, from regular gasoline-powered models.

Although it's yet to be confirmed, expect the Altima Hybrid to use Nissan's 175-horsepower 2.5-litre inline-four engine, mated to an electric motor, to power the new hybrid model. A combined output should yield in the neighbourhood of about 190- to 200-horsepower, the equivalent of a V6-powered engine, while generating fuel consumption ratings akin to or better than the compact Sentra. The decision will also allow Nissan to price the Altima Hybrid below the more powerful and more

The green light for the Altima came just a short while after rival Toyota remarked that it would be building a hybrid version of its ever-popular Camry sedan. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

expensive Honda Accord V6 Hybrid, surely helping it gain sales in this tiny but growing segment niche.

Nissan's decision to plunge into the hybrid sedan market comes after the announcement that many of its direct Asian rivals are planning to sell hybrid-electric vehicles within the midsize sedan segment. The green light for the Altima came just a short while after Toyota remarked that it would be building a hybrid version of its ever-popular Camry sedan, and Subaru, a hybrid version of its svelte, all-wheel driven Legacy sedan. Ironically, the hybrid technology used in the Altima was developed by and licensed to Nissan via Toyota.