Nissan 2006 Annual Report Download - page 50

Nissan Annual Report 2005
48
habits. A survey we did on this revealed that fuel
economy improves between 5 and 10 percent. This
kind of support can help drivers save fuel.
The third layer covers traffic conditions—easing
traffic, making driving less stressful, and warning of
road problems. We started a project called the ITS
Project about a year and a half ago to create the
Intelligent Transportation System. We are working on
this with both the private sector and government and
regulatory bodies.
We are taking the first steps toward a solution
locally, in Kanagawa Prefecture. The applications will
be implemented later this year. If the test is
successful, we can adapt ITS for use elsewhere in
Japan and the rest of the world.
Nissan’s engineers are renowned for creating
cars with dynamic performance, the third facet of
Vision 2015. We want every Nissan customer to
sense the car’s dynamic performance within thirty
meters of driving. A related aspect is the “Life on
Board” concept, which is the last facet. While in the
car, the customer should instantly see both the car’s
quality—the handsome, well-crafted interior—and its
ease of use, such as the navigation system, center
box console and electronics.
Cost and weight reduction are never-ending
tasks for engineers and vehicle development. We’ve
successfully made such reductions, but this often
involves a “slash-and-burn” approach. To ensure that
we maintain the same level of performance over the
long-term, we added the Cost and Weight Reduction
Office in fiscal 2006. The new office will take a long-
term view of the task, and will be working with
universities and research centers in other companies.
Our Alliance with Renault also continues to work
for us in many ways. More and more of Nissan and
Renault’s total production is now covered by the
common platform, and this trend will continue. By
using the same powertrains, engines and
transmissions, we also avoid duplicating product
development and parts manufacture.
The value R&D provides to Nissan is trusted
driving pleasure. In other words, we design cars that
make “Life on Board” a blend of safety, driving
performance, convenience and comfortable luxury.
Through our various initiatives, we will build on
that value.
INVESTMENT FOR THE FUTURE
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04
Registered Patents
5,000
4,000
3,000
2,000
1,000
0’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03 ’04
Patent Application
Safety Shield
The vehicle activates various technologies to help the driver, passengers and other road users avoid danger from
normal driving conditions through post-accident conditions.
Helps the driver maintain
comfortable driving
Helps the driver return to a safe
driving mode in dangerous conditions
Helps reduce injuries and damage
when a collision is unavoidable