The NV food truck concept is well equipped to serve any kind of ethnic cuisine or dessert – complete with everything one needs to feed hoards of starving urbanites – fold-out serving windows, work counters, and an interchangeable kitchenette.

Though premiering in LA, many of these trucks would serve the city of New York very well. NYC is such a popular location for hundreds of mobile eateries, Apple even developed an iPhone app to help located every since one.

According to the New York City Food Truck Association: “They stimulate culinary innovation, draw tourists, energize the streets and are an important part of the social fabric of the city”.

Photos: InsideLine

BBC’s Top Gear is making enemies of Nissan, after the hosts’ typically brutally honest opinions of the Japanese auto maker’s new model range. Clarkson said it was all so “boring.”

Nissan PR chief Tom Barnard complained that Clarkson’s review contained “inaccuracies”, “The presenters’ suggestion that the Leaf battery would be scrap after three years is plain wrong,” Barnard wrote.

“Other than that part we actually quite liked the review. They said lots of good things about the Leaf. But other media – who love to hate Top Gear it seems – leapt on this and said we had been moaning about the whole feature. There’s a reason we feel passionately about the Leaf,” he wrote. “We feel we need to be first with EV technology, even if it means we have to take a few punches at the beginning.”

Source: Autoblog UK

Photo: Fancy Tuning

Nissan sent letters to 4000 Juke costumers in apology, along with checks for $400. If a check isn’t enough, Nissan goes on to say it will repurchase the Juke (minus accumulated mileage and the $400 if you cashed it) and “apply the repurchase value toward the purchase of another new Nissan.”

If you believe you’re affected by the Juke mix-up, you can call Nissan’s Consumer Affairs division at 855-254-9575.

“That’s because Japan’s Nissan Motor Co Ltd won New York City’s 10-year contract to build the next generation of taxis for the city, a deal estimated to be worth more than $1 billion. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city’s Taxi and Limousine Commission made the announcement, adding that Nissan’s winning NV 200 minivan will be made in Mexico, then converted into cabs in the U.S.”

The other two finalists for were Turkish manufacturer Karsan Otomotiv and U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co. The ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’ will replace the 16 models now authorized.

The 10-year contract is expected to begin sometime in 2013.

Source: Daily Mail

The Versa has a “refreshing design” with an “upscale look.” We’re not entirely inclined to agree, but the model features jewel-like headlights, chrome accents, and 15-inch alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin is sparsely equipped and material quality seems subpar. Despite this, Nissan says the Versa has more rear legroom than “luxury cars such as the Lexus LS460, BMW 5-series and Mercedes E-Class.”

Power comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder that develops 109 hp and 107 lb-ft of torque. It is paired to a five-speed manual transmission which enables the car to have an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 27 mpg city / 36 mpg highway (30 mpg city / 37 mpg highway with the optional Xtronic CVT gearbox).

Set to arrive at U.S. dealerships later this summer, the 2012 Versa will be priced from $10,990.

Many photos, such as the one above, shows Nissan and Infiniti sedans piled on top of one another. Nissan Motor Co. also reported many of the vehicles were consumed by a fire, which started after the wave and pile up. Some were so badly burned that the actual models could not be identified.

Public transit was shut down throughout the region – meaning over 1000 Nissan employees had to spend the night trapped at the flooded facility. Luckily, no deaths were reported.

“Bottom line – we are happy no one is hurt. We can build new cars,” said Andy Palmer, Nissan executive vice president.

Source: Automotive News

And what did they chose as this crossover for the Lone Star State? The all new Nissan Juke. Nissan’s new crossover vehicle aimed at “urban hipsters” is a little bit of an odd ball for a Texas audience. Like USA Today said, “Some cowboys might mistake it for an armadillo.”

But the Texas Auto Writers have more to say about it – “The Nissan Juke was a breath of fresh air at this year’s rodeo with its unique and aggressive styling,” said Michael Herzing, president of TAWA. “On top of that it’s fun and exciting to drive. I think it’s going to surprise a lot of people and bring home a lot more awards.”

The Juke goes on sale in October starting at $19,710. The MSRP sticker maxes out, fully loaded, at $25,300.

The vehicle is Nissan’s first global platform for a 1.6-liter, direct-injection, gasoline turbo aluminum-alloy four-cylinder engine. The powerplant puts out the aforementioned 188 horsepower and 177 pounds-feet of torque, yet still delivers 27 mpg city/32 highway.

UPDATE:
WRCB TV of Chattanooga reported that the Nissan Juke was one of the vehicles voted for by automotive journalists for car of the year! Not bad for a quirky newcomer that may not fit strict definitions of “car”, “crossover” or “SUV”.

Source: USA Today Autos

Nissan’s tiny EV was teased prior to a Paris Motor Show unveiling. Details about the car are limited, but the Japanese auto maker has stated Townpod will combine “eye-catching design with a spacious and practical interior.”

Yes…this is the only image they’ve released so far.

With the goal of attracting creative and tech-savvy entrepreneurs, Townpod concept will usher in a “new-era of flexible, stylish vehicles that will bring electric-vehicle mobility to the masses.” Along with this new mini-Nissan, the company will also display their updated Juke, Micra and Leaf vehicles in Paris. Many of these are run on electric-only powerplants, helping Nissan secure a place as one of the world’s top green car producers.

It looks like Nissan’s Xterra SUV is the next car to get axed from the Japanese auto maker’s line-up.

According to Ward’s & Auto Guide – internal data suggests “the mid-size SUV category in which the Xterra fits totaled just 211,042 vehicles last year, compared to an all-time high of 1.65 million in 2000.” Surprisingly, however, there seems to be a mini-boom in the SUV segment as of late with that number up 42% over a ear ago.

Nissan product boss Larry Dominique did comment that execs at Nissan “are big fans of the SUV and plan to keep it in the product lineup or as long as possible. But, Xterra’s going to be a tough vehicle to keep around.”

The plan is to exceed the upcoming 34.1 mpg fleet fuel economy standard for 2016, with high-volume Sentra and Altima models. However, Nissan already has to overachieve in those areas to make up for the Titan’s it sells.

Dominique did reassure ans of the Frontier and Pathfinder that those models are safe. Nissan currently sits at third in the compact pickup segment with the Frontier and with Ford preparing to axe the Ranger, Frontier sales are likely to spike. The truck has already seen a sales increase that’s up 48.5 percent so far this year. (The Toyota Tacoma currently leads that segment).