As the London Olympic Committee begins its preparations for the coming 2012 Olympic Games they have many, many decisions to make. Things that most of us normal folks might not consider, things like athlete accommodations, crowd control, food and beverage availability and traffic issues are complex problems that can take teams of many experts to solve. One such decision that was really more of a missed opportunity, no make that an blatant snub (!), was the use of BMW supplied vehicle for admin and athlete use during the games. HELLOOOOOO London!!! Nissan has the all electric LEAF and was willing to support the games, DUH!!!!  Yeah, 2,000 Nissan supplied EV’s could have been used to shuttle VIP’s, athletes and dignitaries around London while emitting NO POLUTANTS!!! Could there perhaps been some influence from the ‘old boys at Rolls Royce, now owned by BMW??? The blogs are ablaze with fiery comments from even Londoners who disagree, “the Olympic Committee messed up, sure BMW paid more money but the fact remains they promised legacy for the future and what did we get, we got short term effectively yesterdays tech.; Lord Coe messed up, messed up badly”… That’s pretty harsh, well for a Brit at least! Now, more than a few of my favorite bands hail from England and I'm no hater, but I have to think that the mates from New Order would rather see EV's zooming thru London! I for one will not be attending the 2012 Olympics… I wasn’t really planning to anyways but still!! Read more here and here.

Included in this years LA Auto Show is a Design Challenge aptly named "Youthmobile 2030" in which manufactures have been asked to provide concepts for a future that reads like a really good sci-fi novel! "In the years leading up to 2030, the electrification of the nation's highways leads to the creation of a new ultra-efficient, high speed network called the 'GRID'. Nissan's 'ON-GRID' compliant vehicle for the year 2030 is the V2G (Vehicle–to-Grid). Wildly popular with consumers thanks to its low cost, dynamic styling and quality construction, the V2G is the best selling electric vehicle of its time." WHOA! It gets better  too! The V2G is designed to be customized with parts that can be snapped on and off  by the owner, fitting into the car modifying culture of LA. These parts would be also be made from carbon nanotunbe cloth impregnated with bio resin, allowing them to be endlessly recycled. The concept would feature a small cabin mounted on six wheels, two on the back  and four up front on extended arms.I am so gonna borrow my sons when he gets it! More info here also...

Last year when word came out the Nissan would partner with Dodge for the next generation Titan it seemed like the Nissan Guy was the only one that wasnt jumping for joy. I never thought that a Dodge drive train and chassis were the silver bullet and now my good friend Carlos Ghosn (ok not so much a good friend as much as CEO of Nissan/Renault...) seems to agree. Nissan is already working on the next generation Titan and it doesnt need have no stinking Hemi, it will be a Nissan! “Titan will have a replacement, we are staying in the large pickup truck market,” Ghosn told reporters at the recent launch of the LEAF. Although he did kinda sorta allude that Nissan may still be open to a joint venture on the truck, we now know the Titan will soldier on! The Nissan Guy is jus hoping the rumors of the new partner being toyota stay rumors!

The Nissan Guy like you to be among the first to see how Nissan is making the 100 percent electric, zero emission car a reality. So I invite my fans to  join me at the Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour to get an up close look at this revolutionary vehicle. And if you RSVP, you'll receive a special VIP gift* when you arrive.
To RSVP, visit: http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/tour.jsp
I look forward to showing you how Nissan is making zero emission driving both possible and practical. Ok, its not ACTUALLY my own personal event, its a Nissan deal but still... Here's where you can see the Nissan LEAF in your area:
*November 14: Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA
*November 15: Americana at Brand, Glendale, CA
*November 18: Irvine Spectrum, Orange County, CA
RSVP:http://www.nissanusa.com/leaf-electric-car/tour.jsp

2009 has been chock full of awards for Nissan, up on the top of the list being the Motor Trend Car of the Year given to Godzilla! Of course time marches on though and its always a bit nerve wracking to wait and see how auto journalists moods can sway. There is something to be said though for quality, consistence and driving excitement. Right on the heels of NADA confirming the 2010 370Z Roadster is "The 2010 Nissan 370Z is the World’s Most Complete Roadster – Bar None!" when naming it the November Car of the Month, the editors of Automobile Magazine just announced this years winner of Design of the Year, yes its a Nissan! The 2010 Cube has been awarded the Automobile Design of the Year trophy for many reasons but all of them I already knew and have been sayin over and over since back before it even launched! Yes fans, I will own one soon.... soon... For the rest of the award article click here.

Over the weekend Nissan wrapped up the 2009 ABSA Off-Road Championship series by absolutely dominating the Production Vehicle Class. Nissan Hardbody trucks (I wish they would bring back that name over here) won 6 of the 8 races with Nissan Team drivers Duncan Vos and Ralph Pitchford taking 5 of those victories! It was Vos's third consecutive championship success and Pitchford's second in three years.In fact, Nissan has not only owned this years series, and lasts, and the years before.... but all of the last NINE! Nissan's record for the nine years it has contested the championship is nine drivers' and co-drivers' championships, six manufacturers' championships and a total of 57 wins in 72 events. I just wish South Africa wasnt so dang far away... or at least the series could make a stop in the States! Read more of this great story here.

Already one of the most recognized names in commercial vehicles worldwide, Nissan is set to launch its commercial vehicle line here in America early in the coming new year. The NV2500, shown here, will be the first of an entire line of medium and heavy duty commercial trucks, vans and haulers that will provide incredible power and value to American business'. First shown early last year at the work truck show in Chicago the NV2500 has quickly gained praise form many fleet buyers and had been noted for its unique storage and utility features. The truck will be built right here in the States at the Canton, Miss plant which is currently undergoing a $118 million dollar expansion to handle the increase in manufacturing. Between the commercial vehicles plant and the battery plant in Tennessee thats well over a billion and a half dollars invested in growing American business and Nissan worldwide sales, yea for Nissan! Check out the EV2500 more in depth here. LeftLaneNews has some updated info here, with some pics of the test mule in testing here.
Oh and yes, the Nissan Guy will be your Nissan Commercial Dealer!!

As a major demonstration of the confidence they have in the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) equipped in most of their passenger cars, Nissan today announced that they will INCREASE the factory warranty on the CVT from 5yrs/60,000 miles up to 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES! Not only affecting current new vehicles but also including models built all the way back to 2003, hows that for standing behind your product! Our Service Dept. has all the details and also info that may help you if you have repaired a CVT equipped Nissan outside of the original warranty coverage, yes thats means you may be eligible for a reimbursement! See your local Nissan dealer, yes I mean Raceway Nissan (!), for all the details and specifics.