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Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf sales show big drops in September

As most readers likely know, it's not just lower gas prices that are affecting plug-in vehicle sales. The two long-time sales leaders in the US - the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt - are getting long in the tooth. First introduced in late 2010, the vehicles have been updated here and there since then, but recent sales figures have been lagging behind where they were in 2014. This trend continued in September, with sales of both vehicles down in a big way compared to last year. Sales of Nissan Leaf totaled 1,247 for the month of September. This is down a whopping 56.7 percent from September 2014, but thankfully the year-to-date sales are not quite as negative. So far this year, Nissan has sold 13,630 Leafs, which is "just" 37.5 percent lower tan the YTD total at this point in 2014 (21,822). This decrease swims against the overall direction of Nissan's September sales, which were up 18 percent over last year and set a new September record. The Volt sold 949 units last month, down 31.9 percent from last September. Year to date, the Volt has sold 9,264 units, which is 36.3 percent lower than the number of Volts that were sold in the first nine months of 2014 (14,540). This downward trend might be coming to an end soon. The new Chevy Volt will go on sale in 11 US states later this fall, and the 2017 model will be available nationwide next spring. An updated Leaf for the 2016 model year also offers more miles – 107, vs 84 in the 2015 version – so potential customers who have been waiting for the latest and greatest will soon not have any excuses. We'll have our broader look at green car sales in the US up soon. Green Chevrolet Nissan Electric Hybrid ev sales hybrid sales volt

Nissan puts Around View Monitor on ocean-exploring robots [w/video]

Capable as it may be, we wouldn't advise driving your crossover to the bottom of the ocean. Nissan, however, is doing the next best thing by putting its Around View Monitor on seabed-crawling robots. The partnership brings Nissan together with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and Topy Industries, a leading manufacturer of robotic crawlers. Nissan supplies the Around View Monitor it usually puts in its crossovers and SUVs, which Topy installs on its Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and JAMSTEC sends to the ocean floor. The project even enjoys support from the Japanese cabinet through its Strategy Innovation Promotion program that aims to bring private-sector innovation to government projects. With Nissan's 360-degree camera technology, JAMSTEC and Topy hope to "uncover the mysteries of the oceans," and seem to be going about it a smarter way than submerging a landlubber like the Juke or Rogue to car-crushing depths. Just what they'll uncover remains to be seen, but we're looking forward to finding out, and applaud the initiative. Of course, Nissan isn't the first automaker to deploy its technologies in robots to explore undiscovered worlds: Toyota recently lent its voice-recognition system to the Kirobo project that put a pint-sized robot in orbit to converse with the astronauts in the International Space Station. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. NISSAN AVM TECH TO GO UNDERWATER FOR DEEP SEA EXPLORATION - Nissan's Around View Monitor (AVM) technology will help remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) search for natural resources in the Earth's oceans - Nissan's AVM is building block of company's autonomous drive technology - Featured across Nissan's crossover range including best-selling new Juke, Qashqai and X-Trail Nissan is providing its unique Around View Monitor (AVM) technology to the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and Topy Industries, Ltd., through a joint development project that may help uncover the mysteries of the oceans. The joint development contract with JAMSTEC and Topy, one of the top manufacturers of robot crawlers in Japan, will enhance the government agency's ability to search deep underwater for natural resources using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). Nissan's AVM technology will help ROV operators avoid obstacles and navigate the ocean seafloor more easily.

BMW, Nissan eye Formula E entry

BMW has been involved with the all-electric Formula E racing series since the beginning. It provides the safety car in the form of the eye-catching i8, with the i3 performing medical car duties. BMW's i division even sponsored the 2016 Berlin ePrix. Nissan has also been involved with Formula E – though more tangentially so – as its French partner Renault has provided the car each team used for the first season, and sponsors its own team as well (which won the Teams' Championship both seasons so far). Now that more automakers are joining the field (notably including Jaguar's return to open-wheel racing), BMW and Nissan are reportedly considering getting in the mix to try to win some races, too. Multiple sources tell Autosport that both automakers are looking into being on the grid as early as the 2016/2017 season. Since the series already has its ten teams confirmed for the third season, Nissan and BMW would have to join an existing team for the time being, which is what Autosport's sources are saying is being discussed. Nissan refers to its consideration as a "fact-finding" mission. BMW had said earlier that it wouldn't compete as long as mid-race car swaps were part of the practice. Formula E is looking to move toward a single car format as early as the 2018/2019 season, which could make BMW's direct involvement more palatable to the automaker. As for Nissan, it would have to garner approval from the Renault-Nissan Alliance to compete against its sister company in the same racing category. Either way, it's unlikely that either manufacturer would be able to provide powertrain technology should they join teams for the upcoming season. Still, both Nissan and BMW have made strong commitments to consumer electric vehicles. To be directly involved in the competition would not only be a great way to showcase their prowess in the world of electric motoring, it could also help to bring more attention to Formula E. Related Video: Related Gallery Jaguar Formula E News Source: Autosport via Inside EVsImage Credit: Formula E Green Motorsports BMW Nissan Green Automakers Electric Racing Vehicles Formula E electric racing