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Nissan to build Golf-fighter in Spain

Nissan hasn't had a proper European entry in the ridiculously popular compact hatchback segment since it stopped offering its somewhat staid and uninspiring Almera (above) in 2006. According to Automotive News Europe, the new machine, which will not be called Almera, will be marketed against the Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus - two extremely popular models in Europe. Production is slated to begin in July of 2014.
The new compact will be built in Barcelona, Spain, at the factory that currently builds the Pathfinder, Navara pickup and NV200 commercial van. An investment of $178 million will be made to assemble the compact car, and an additional $27 million will go to the plant to create more trucks and transmissions for electric vehicles.
The decision to invest in Spain comes after the automaker successfully renegotiated contracts with local unions. Similar talks are underway in France, where Nissan partner Renault is based, but as of yet no new agreements have been struck. Feel free to browse through the official press release below.

Nissan touts e-NV200 as electric VIP transport

While the big auto show may be in Paris next month, right now in Hannover, Germany, commercial vehicle manufacturers are peddling their wares to fleet operators. Among them is Nissan, which is not only upgrading its NV400 full-size van with new engines and technology, but also showcasing a rather unusual show car in the form of the e-NV200 VIP Concept. Nissan has outfitted this electric NV200 demonstrator to chauffeur passengers around town in comfort and under electric propulsion. It's decked out in a two-tone metallic blue paint job and an interior upholstered in white leather contrasting with black trim and carpets, although for some reason the Japanese automaker hasn't seen fit to release any interior images. In the back you'll find a 21.5-inch DSP monitor, LED lighting and a pair of "club class" seats (again, no pictures), moved aft-wards to maximize leg room to 26 inches with an extendable footrest, while still allowing for luggage space behind. The driver can even make use of Nissan's new Smart Rear-View mirror to help get passengers as close to the red carpet as possible. NISSAN SHOWCASES EV FOR VIPs Zero emission e-NV200 is transformed for ultimate comfort city transport -introducing the e-NV200 concept for VIPs. - Luxuriously appointed 100% electric for downtown VIP passenger shuttle - Two-tone metallic blue exterior and white leather seats - Limousine-like space and 21.5-inch monitor with digital device connectivity - Smart Rear-View mirror providing clear rearward visibility in all conditions Hannover, Germany (23rd September, 2014) Fresh from launching the game-changing 100% electric Nissan e-NV200 compact van, the world's leading electric vehicle manufacturer has created a new zero emission concept for VIP transportation - the Nissan e-NV200 VIP Concept. Designers have upgraded the all-electric e-NV200 Evalia people carrier into a zero emission van perfect as shuttle transport for VIPs. The benefit of being zero emission means that the van can access all current and future clean air zones, as well as drive inside buildings, for the ultimate in discreet convenience. Behind the spectacular two-tone exterior lies a sophisticated and luxurious interior. The seats are covered in premium quality white leather with blue accents, which contrast with the predominantly black lower portion of the cabin - the trim and carpets are black with a piano black finish on the control surfaces.

Nissan ex-Chairman Carlos Ghosn wins release from jail

TOKYO — The Tokyo District Court approved the release of former Nissan Chairman Carlos Ghosn on bail of 1 billion yen ($8.9 million) on Tuesday, although the end of his four months of detention in Japan was delayed when prosecutors appealed that decision. Prosecutors filed their objection to Ghosn's release within hours of the announcement he was going to be granted bail. But their appeal was rejected by the court, paving the way for his release. A lawyer for Ghosn said he would not be able to leave the Tokyo Detention Center until Wednesday at the earliest, because bail procedures can't be done at night. The acceptance of Ghosn's request for bail, his third, came a day after the lawyer, Junichiro Hironaka, said he was confident the auto executive would gain his release. Hironaka, who recently joined Ghosn's defense team, is famous for winning acquittals in Japan, a nation where the conviction rate is 99 percent. Hironaka said Monday that he had offered new ways to monitor Ghosn after his release, such as camera surveillance. Hironaka also questioned the grounds for Ghosn's arrest, calling the case "very peculiar," and suggesting it could have been dealt with as an internal company matter. He welcomed the decision, telling reporters: "It was good we proposed concrete ways showing how he would not tamper with evidence or try to flee." The 1 billion yen bail set by the court was relatively high but not the highest ever in Japan. Among the conditions for Ghosn's release were restrictions on where he can live, a ban on foreign travel and other promises not to tamper with evidence or try to flee, the court said. The former head of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Motors alliance has been detained since he was arrested on Nov. 19. He says he is innocent of charges of falsifying financial information and of breach of trust. In Japan, suspects are routinely detained for months, often until their trials start. That's especially true of those who insist on their innocence. Prosecutors say suspects may tamper with evidence and shouldn't be released. Two previous requests submitted by his legal team were denied. His previous defense lawyer, Motonari Ohtsuru, had said Ghosn's release might not come for months. Hironaka is among many critics of the Japanese justice system who say such lengthy detentions of suspects are unfair.