Vehicle-to-vehicle communication can prevent crashes

Smarter cars that talk to one another are the next step in auto safety

Consumer Reports Magazine: April 2012 

"Imagine that you’re approaching an intersection at about 30 mph, with a green traffic light beckoning you through. What you can’t see, however, is that another vehicle, coming in on the cross street, is about to run a red light. In a typical car, you would enter the intersection and most likely be slammed in the side by the other vehicle, which could seriously injure or even kill you. But in this car, a prominent red warning light flashes on the dash and an alarm blares, giving you time to hit the brakes before entering the danger zone."

This article is brought to you by University Nissan of Boone, NC. To read the full article, please visit this website: ConsumerReports.org

Ta-dah! Nissan shows interior of new Pathfinder SUV

By James R. Healey, USA TODAY

Updated 1d 23h ago 

Nissan finally is showing photos of the interior of its redesigned, 2013 Pathfinder SUV, after exhibiting the body sans interior last month at the Detroit auto show.

The new Pathfinder, on sale later this year, becomes a crossover SUV, abandoning the body-on-frame truck-style ruggedness of the current model in favor of the lighter, more nimble, more refined, generally less-fuel-thirsty unibody construction similar to that used on cars, which is why such SUVs are "crossovers."
See photos of: Nissan Motor Company

This article is brought to you by University Nissan of Boone, NC. Read the full article online.

New Nissan Concept Car Previews in Europe

2012 GENEVA AUTO SHOW Nissan concept previews a new subcompact for Europe Nick Gibbs Follow Automotive News on and Automotive News Europe | February 7, 2012 12:45 CET LONDON -- Nissan will unveil the Invitation concept for a new subcompact model at the Geneva auto show next month. The concept previews a replacement for the Note minivan, sources said. Nissan said the Invitation is designed to achieve high fuel economy along with dynamic performance, as well as provide plenty of interior room. A production version will launch in Europe in 2013. A Nissan UK spokesman would not say whether the five-door Invitation previews the successor to the Note, which launched in Europe in 2006, but said the production version will give Nissan a hatchback positioned above the Micra minicar. "The Note is an MPV. This is much more of a hatchback rival. The Micra is actually quite a small car," the spokesman said. "The Invitation is very much conceived to compete head on with big sellers in B (subcompact) segment, which are bigger these days." Nissan did not say whether the production version would be built at the automaker's factory in Sunderland, England, which builds the Note. "As with any car of that size, Sunderland will be a front runner. The various plants have to bid for it." The Note is Nissan's fourth best-selling model in Europe after the Qashqai, Juke and Micra. European sales of the Note fell 22 percent to 35,425 last year, according to JATO Dynamics market researchers. Nissan says the Invitation will bring a fresh style to the subcompact segment. Nissan said it aimed to bring fresh style, innovation and excitement to the mainstream market with the Invitation. The concept showcases the company's latest thinking in terms of lightweight construction and advanced engine design with class-leading aerodynamics for improved fuel efficiency and low emissions, a statement said. The concept also has advanced technology, including Nissan's Around View Monitor (AVM) which gives a bird's eye view of the car for easy parking, and the automaker's Safety Shield Technologies which uses cameras and proximity sensors to alert the driver to potential danger. The Invitation previews a 2013 production car. The Invitation is one of two global concept Geneva debuts for Nissan. Details of the second concept will be disclosed at the show, Nissan said. Reports say the concept could preview the next Qashqai. The company will also give European debuts to the e-NV200 electric seven-seat minivan unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January and the Juke Nismo, a performance version of the Juke created by Nissan Motorsport and shown at the 2011 Tokyo motor show. The Invitation's styling likely previews a more dynamic successor to the Note. PRINTED FROM: http://edit.autonews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120207/ANE/120209844&template=printartANE Entire contents ©2012 Crain Communications, Inc.

Boone, NC Named #4 Fastest Growing Small Towns by Forbes

Boone, NC ranked #4 in Forbes.com's list of The Fastest-Growing Small Towns. According to the site, Boone's 2007 Population of 44,541 has grown 14.67% to 51,079 people. See the other towns that made the list here: http://www.forbes.com/pictures/egim45eehm/4-boone-nc/

I think we can all agree that Boone has grown so much in the past 10 years, even. This brings us to a fun question -- What brought you to this neck of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains? Was it the small-town feel? The hiking trails, rock climbing, lakes, or ski slopes? Appalachian State?

Tell us your story!

Motor Trend : Not Out of The Woods Yet: Toyota, Honda Down in September, Nissan Up 25.3 Percent

Not Out of The Woods Yet: Toyota, Honda Down in September, Nissan Up 25.3 Percent

Alex Nishimoto on October 3 2011 3:00 PM

Continuing the trend from the past few months, Nissan sales were up for September, while Toyota and Honda sales were down. Though September marked a return to normalcy for the automakers most affected by the March earthquake and tsunami that rocked Japan, the numbers seem to show that a return to pre-earthquake sales performance could take a bit more time.

Nissan North America

Nissan is up 25.3 percent, raising sales in September 2010 from 74,205 units to 92,964 in September 2011. The automaker also reports year-over-year sales gains for both Nissan and Infiniti brands in September. The Nissan brand is up 28.2 percent at 84,485 units sold, compared to the 65,900 units sold during the same month last year, while Infiniti rises slightly over last September, with sales of 8479 units compared to 8305 for a gain of 2.1 percent.

Nissan – 84,485 units sold, Up 28.2 percent

Nissan’s bread-and-butter Altima sedan once again led in sales volume, selling 24,356 units in September, compared to 20,016 units sold the same month last year – a gain of 21.7 percent. The Nissan Versa was second highest in volume, with 11,800 units sold in September. That number eclipses the 7081 units sold September 2010, and represents an increase of 68.1 percent, perhaps due in part to the new Versa sedan, which had its first full sales month in September. The Nissan Rogue also saw strong sales in September, gaining 2.9.1 percent with 10,740 units sold versus the 8318 units of the small crossover moved the same period last year.

But not all models came out ahead this past month. The Nissan Cube dropped 71.1 percent, with just 440 units sold compared to the 1523 Cube models sold September last year. The 370Z dropped 40.4 percent, with 469 units sold compared to 787 the same period last year.

Infiniti – 8479 units sold, Up 2.1 percent

The Infiniti G sedan range led sales volume for Nissan’s luxury marque, with 3940 units sold compared to the 3056 G sedan models moved in September 2010, representing a gain of 28.9 percent. The Infiniti QX SUV sold 1206 units, versus 822 the same period last year for a gain of 46.7 percent. The Infiniti M lost ground this past month, selling 905 units, compared to last September’s total of 1460 – a decrease of 38 percent. The EX crossover also came up short this past month, selling 610 units compared to the 747 sold the same period last year for a decrease of 18.3 percent.

American Honda Motor Company

Despite the automaker now claiming to be up to speed at all of its production facilities, overall sales were down for American Honda, dropping 8.0 percent from last September’s total of 97,362 units sold, at 89,532 this past month. Year-to-date, Honda is down 6.2 percent, with 859,797 units sold in the first three quarters of 2011, compared to 912,436 the same period last year. The Honda brand is down 8.2 percent, selling 79,522 units, shy of the 86,641 units sold in September 2010. The Acura division is down 7.9 percent, with 10,010 units sold, compared to the 10,720 Acura models sold September of last year.

Honda – 79,522 units sold, Down 8.2 percent

The CR-V was Honda’s sales volume leader, selling 19,604 units in September for a gain of 9.5 percent over the 17,907 sold the same period last year. The Accord was Honda’s second best-selling model of the month, moving 18,639 units. But despite high sales volume, the model was down 13.8 percent from September 2010, when 21,620 Accords were sold. The Honda Pilot increased sales by 27.9 percent over September of last year, selling 10,306 units, compared to the 8059 units sold the same period in 2010. Honda’s dedicated hybrid, the Insight, saw a substantial decrease in sales compared to September 2010, with just 512 units sold compared to 1679 last year, a loss of 69.5 percent. The hybrid hatchback CR-Z also took a hit in September, decreasing 56.6 percent at 537 units sold, compared to 1236 the same period last year. The Crosstour, which recently had its affiliation with the Accord severed, decreased 54.2 percent, with 1148 units sold compared to 2507 in September 2010. The new-for-2012 Civic is down 26.4 percent, with 13,724 units sold compared to the 18,637 units of the previous generation sold September of last year. Honda says assembly of that car is nearing full-production status.

Acura – 10,010 units sold, Down 6.6 percent

Acura reports the TSX experienced a record September, posting sales of 3112 units – a gain of 37.9 percent over the 2507 units sold September of last year. The rest of Acura’s lineup was down from September of the previous year. The aging RL lost the most ground, selling just 43 units compared to the 240 sold in September 2010, representing an 82.1-percent decrease. The ZDX crossover also didn’t fare as well as it did last September, moving 87 units compared to 251 the same month in 2010 for a loss of 65.3 percent. The newly refreshed and face-lifted TL was just a smidge below its performance in September 2010, selling 2507 units compared to 2514 last year, a decrease of 0.3 percent.

Toyota Motor Sales

Production hang-ups relating to the March earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan have apparently been resolved for Toyota, as the automaker reports that production in both North America and Japan returned to pre-earthquake levels in September. Still, Toyota was down overall for the month, posting total sales 106,456 vehicles compared to 130,214 units sold in September 2010, a decrease of 17.5 percent.

Toyota – 106,456 units sold, Down 18.2 percent

Sales of 24,851 Camry models led the Toyota brand’s sales volume, though that number is down 19.2 percent from the 30,769 units sold September of last year. The Corolla also saw a decrease in September, selling 16,147 units compared to the 21,060 units sold the same period in 2010, shrinking 23.3 percent. Toyota moved 9325 units of its dedicated hybrid Prius in September, down 18.2 percent from the same period last year, when 11,394 Prius models were sold.

Among Toyota’s light trucks, SUVs, and vans, the Sienna minivan led sales volume, posting sales of 8975 units in September. That number is down 9.5 percent from the 9920 units sold the same period last year. The low-volume Land Cruiser SUV was up 21.1 percent, with 132 units sold versus 109 in September 2010.


Lexus – 14,995 units sold, Down 11.5 percent

The ES 350 was the sales volume leader among Lexus’ passenger cars in September, with 3627 units sold, just shy of the 3697 units sold the same period last year – a decrease of 1.9 percent. The IS was up slightly for the month of September, raising 3.8 percent with 2539 units sold, compared to 2447 a year earlier. Lexus’ flagship LS, the first nameplate sold under the Lexus banner in the U.S., was also up slightly for the month, selling 729 units compared to 711 in September 2010 for a gain of 2.4 percent. Four more LFA supercar models were sold in September, bringing the total number sold in the U.S. to 44. The HS hybrid was down 67.5 percent, selling 231 units in September, compared to 711 the same month the previous year. The RX took the sales lead among Lexus’ SUVs, selling 5003 units, but sales of 7420 RX models a year prior makes for a decrease of 32.6 percent.


Scion – 3838 units sold, Up 7.7 percent

Scion came out ahead in September, partially due to relatively strong sales of its tC sports coupe, which led sales volume at 1752 units sold and was up 78.6 percent from the same month in 2010, when just 981 tC models were sold. The xB was close behind in sales volume, with 1415 units sold, but last September’s sales of 1687 units equate to a decrease of 16.1 percent for the quirky five-door. Down 24.9 percent, the xD nearly repeats its performance from last month, when the model was down 24.5 percent, posting sales of 671 units, compared to 894 the same month a year prior.

Source: Nissan, Honda, Toyota

This Article From Motor Trend was brought to you by University Nissan of Boone, NC. To read the full article and find out more information, please follow this link: http://wot.motortrend.com/not-out-of-the-woods-yet-toyota-honda-down-in-september-nissan-up-25-3-percent-122873.html#ixzz1Zw2wcOQs

All You Ever Wanted to Know about the Nissan LEAF

We cannot ignore the fact that there has been a huge "green" push over the last few years -- encouraging sustainability, lower emissions, and countless hours researching and testing new technologies. For the car industry, this led to the birth of the Hybrid vehicle and eventually the creation of an all-electric vehicle. The Nissan LEAF (which is FINALLY HERE! by the way..), is the first all-electric vehicle with absolutely no emissions and ZERO GAS. No gas. That means no waiting in line, no worrying about the rising price of gas, and no more abuse of the earth's limited natural resources. Now, we all know that a battery won't stay at 100% forever. There will be times when you have to charge your battery. However, the advanced technology that goes into the Nissan LEAF has created long-lasting batteries with an equivalence of 100 miles per gallon when to compared to non-electric vehicles. Also, we're seeing charging stations begin to sprout up everywhere with even Walgreens adding charging stations to their parking lots!

Here's a Q&A from Nissan's website about charging a LEAF.

    Q: How much will my electric bill go up by recharging my Nissan LEAF™ at home?
    A: This will vary by vehicle usage and your electric rate. We strongly recommend that you contact your electricity provider to discuss special rates or incentives that may be available prior to getting an in-home assessment for your charging dock.
    Q: If I want to "prewire" a new home for a future Nissan LEAF™ owner, what is required?
    A: The home charging dock will require a 220/240V 40 amp dedicated circuit connected to a breaker. The charging dock will need to be hard-wired directly to the circuit by a certified electrician.
    Q: Is the home charging station weatherproof?
    A: Yes, the home charging dock is weatherproof.
    Q: When plugging the car in, will it be possible that the car is "smart"enough to pull electricity during non peak hours?
    A: You can program the car to charge whenever you like. Most people will charge overnight at off-peak times like their cell phone.
    Q: What is the estimated price of the home-installed charging station components? Are they separate from the cost of the car?
    A: The average estimated cost of a standard home charging dock installation in a typical new home is approximately $2,000 plus tax and license fees. Federal tax credits may offset a portion of the costs.
    Q: Is there a timer that allows you to set what time the charging starts and stops?
    A: Yes – you are able to set a charging timer in the car. You will also be able to control the car’s functions and charging from any computer or internet-enabled phone.
    Q: Will the charger be built into the vehicle?
    A: Yes. To charge, you will simply need to plug in to an appropriate charging dock which supplies power safely to the charger.
    Q: What is the estimated time for full charging with 110v, 220v and fast charge stations?
    A: It takes about ~30 minutes to 80% at a 480 volt quick-charge station. Starting from a depleted battery, ~7 hours at 220/240V (depending on amperage), about 20 hours at 110/120V.
    Q: Can you install a charging station by yourself or does it have to be installed by a qualified electrician?
    A: Your home charging dock will need to be installed by a professional electrician. But first, we will assist you with a home assessment which will help identify what is needed to make your home Nissan LEAF™ ready.

    Q: How long will it be before you can charge a car anywhere? Like at a gas station?
    A: Nissan is working to encourage third party and government organizations to grow the charging infrastructure. As electric vehicle acceptance grows we expect additional growth. We do believe most people will charge their Nissan LEAF™ at home much like they do their cell phones.
    Q: Can you charge the battery even if it's not empty?
    A: Yes
    Q: Does the navigation system list charging station locations?
    A: The Nissan LEAF™ comes equipped with CARWINGS®. This in-car telematics system will show you battery power and status, charging stations, and more.
    Q: If you run out of power will a "AAA" tow truck have a recharger or would you need to be towed to a recharge station?
    A: The car is equipped with a telematics system called CARWINGS® which will help you locate charging stations before this happens. Additionally, AAA has recently announced an EV-charging pilot program
    Q: Are you working with power companies to develop fast charging stations using higher voltage?
    A: We are working with governments and companies to foster a large network of fast-charging facilities. You can join the effort. Check out the advocacy tools on the website as a starter.
    Q: Is the Nissan LEAF™ going to have an onboard charging system of some kind for emergency back up?
    A: Your Nissan LEAF™ will be delivered with a 110/120V Trickle charge cable that works with the onboard charging system. As the name implies this will be primarily used for opportunity charging and is not recommended to be your primary method of charging. For that we have the Nissan home charging dock which uses a 220/240V dedicated line in your home.
    Q: What do I do if I want to go farther than 100 miles in one trip?
    A: The Nissan LEAF™’s CARWINGS® system will be able to show you charging locations along your route.
    Q: How many charging cycles can the energy storage device survive?
    A: Like all lithium ion batteries, the Nissan LEAF™ battery will experience gradual capacity loss over time. We expect the battery to last over 10 years, however, there may be a gradual loss of capacity of 30% or more depending on your driving patterns, and the effect on your battery. The battery can be used afterward for storage applications.
    Q: Will it plug into a regular household outlet?
    A: It will charge on a regular 110/120V 20-Amp dedicated outlet. This is considered a "trickle charge," which means it would charge at a slower rate. For home charging, we recommend a home charging dock on a dedicated 220/240V, 40A circuit.
    Q: I live in an apartment. How would I go about charging the car?
    A: Talk to your apartment complex owner and other residents about charging stations. You can also use public infrastructure as it becomes available.
    Q: What happens if you run out of electricity on the road?
    A: CARWINGS® is a telematics system in the Nissan LEAF™ which will constantly update to show your vehicle and battery status, as well as charging locations, should you need them.
    Q: You need the infrastructure first. Why would I buy the car when I would be tethered to my home for charging?
    A: Most people will charge their car like a cell phone – at home overnight. We are also actively working with all levels of government and private corporations to grow the public infrastructure.
    Q: Is an upgrade to my home electrical system required to set up the charging station?
    A: A professional evaluation of your home electrical system is part of the overall purchase process. You can start by signing up for Nissan LEAF™ information.
    Q: Since the Nissan LEAF™ solely runs on electricity, would charging from home dramatically increase my electricity bill?
    A: Based on a US average of $0.11/kWh, a full charge will cost about $2.75. It could be even less, if your area has time-of-use rates and you charge at off-peak hours.
    Q: How much will it cost to charge Nissan LEAF™ at a charging station?
    A: The national average electricity cost is $0.11/kWh. That means the average cost to charge the car would be $2.75 from Empty to Full.
    Q: Is there any initiative to develop non-home charging options?
    A: Yes – Nissan is working with all levels of government and private corporations to develop public and work-based charging locations.
    Q: How long does it take to charge?
    A: Most people will charge it like a cell phone overnight at home. A full charge will take ~7h on a 220/240V home charging station. A 480V quick-charging capability will eventually be available in many markets once a standard is set.
    Q: Will there be multiple options on how/where to charge up?
    A: Absolutely. You’ll be able to charge at home, possibly at work and at stations along your route. Options will grow as infrastructure is developed.
    Q: Will there be a standard power plug (110/220V), or do we have to buy a proprietary power outlet or power station?
    A: For home charging we recommend using a Home Charging Dock wired directly to a 220/240 volt 40 amp circuit to supply power to the vehicle.

I’m excited to see more and more people enjoy the Nissan LEAF and move towards sustainable options. This growing technology will completely change the automotive industry. The Nissan LEAF is both sustainable and practical. Its charge is long lasting, it has amazing styling, and it offers a lot of space and comfort! Stop by our dealership today to test drive the all-new Nissan LEAF.

P.S. Ever thought of electric aircraft? http://www.txchnologist.com/volumes/aviation/move-over-electric-car-the-electric-airplane-is-coming