Bad Timing for Intro of Nissan’s First Hybrid

Bad Timing for Intro of Nissan’s First Hybrid

Nissan has never been a big fan of hybrid vehicles. Nissan-Renault’s chief, Carlos Ghosn, has criticized hybrids as too low profit and not delivering significant savings to buyers.

Now, Nissan is in launch mode for its first-ever hybrid powertrain –- one on the Altima -- and timing couldn’t be worse.

Edmunds.com reports this month is the best time ever to buy a hybrid as hybrid prices are at historical lows because of incentives and supply exceeding demand. Conversely, that suggests it is a bad time for sellers of hybrids.

Nissan executives were at the automakers’ technical center in Detroit’s suburbs this week to explain its green strategy and the role of hybrids within that plan. Nissan executives say the launch of the Altima hybrid, which uses Toyota technology, is a test for the carmaker. In the end, they claim diesel, ethanol and improved gas engines may be better alternatives for saving fuel and cutting emissions.

The Altima hybrid, launched in January, is available in eight states on the West Coast and in the Northeast where emissions requirements are more stringent. The company only intends to sell about 12,000 Altima hybrids a year, about the number of Prius models Toyota sells in a month.

The Altima hybrid uses a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine combined with an electric drive motor and generator to deliver 198 horsepower. It is paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission. It achieves estimated fuel economy of 42 miles per gallon city and 26 miles per gallon highway. Prices start at $24,400.

Michelle Krebs:  is Editor-in-Chief of AutoObserver.com. Follow @AutoObserver on Twitter.