- Nissan Group takes lead as most fuel efficient full-line automaker with largest year-over-year improvement among any automotive manufacturer
- Lightweight engineering strategy, improved aerodynamics and efficient transmissions drive fuel economy improvements
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Nissan Group is the most fuel efficient full-line automaker in the United States, according to the 2014 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) “Trends” Report. Nissan’s fleet-wide fuel economy rating of 26.2 combined1 mpg was highest among all full-line automakers in the annual report, which is the authoritative reference on new light-duty vehicle carbon dioxide emissions, fuel economy and powertrain technology trends in the United States.
Nissan’s 26.2 combined mpg rating, based on 2013 model-year Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, marks a 2.1 combined mpg (8.7 percent) improvement over 2012 model-year Nissan and Infiniti vehicles, the largest year-over-year gain among all manufacturers. The 26.2 combined mpg mark is 4.4 percent more efficient than the No. 2 spot and exceeds the full-line automaker industry average (manufacturers offering vehicles for sale in every product segment) of 23.3 combined mpg by 12.4 percent.
As a full-line automobile manufacturer, Nissan sells passenger cars, SUVs, CUVs, mid-size and full-size pickup trucks, compact and full-size vans, a taxi, vehicles with V-8 engines, a 545-horsepower supercar, luxury hybrid vehicles, and a zero-emissions plug-in battery electric vehicle – a range of products to meet consumer needs across the full spectrum of product segments.2
“Reaching this point is a direct result of a dedicated company-wide effort to scrutinize every aspect of each new model to extract the most fuel efficiency possible,” said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America. “Our engineers and designers have worked hard to get us here, and we look to continuously improve fuel efficiency of our models to face the challenges of future regulations while surpassing customer expectations.”
| MY 2011 Final3 | MY 2012 Final | MY 2013 Final | |||
| MPG | MPG | Change from 2011 | MPG | Change from 2012 | |
| Nissan | 23.3 | 24.1 | +0.8 | 26.2 | +2.1 |
| Toyota | 24.1 | 25.6 | +1.5 | 25.1 | -0.5 |
| Ford | 21.1 | 22.8 | +1.7 | 22.2 | -0.6 |
| General Motors | 20.7 | 21.7 | +1.0 | 22.0 | +0.3 |
| Fiat-Chrysler | 19.4 | 20.1 | +0.7 | 20.9 | +0.8 |
The realization of this accomplishment came in part due to the introduction of three all-new fuel-efficient models for the 2013 model year – Altima, Pathfinder and Sentra. These models each brought a significant improvement in fuel efficiency to the marketplace compared to their predecessors. Average combined fuel economy for the 2013 Altima sedan improved 4 mpg or 14.8 percent. The most fuel-efficient 2013 Sentra model improved from 30 mpg to 34 mpg combined, or just over 13 percent compared to the model it replaced. The 2013 Pathfinder SUV saw the largest gains, with an almost 30-percent year-over-year improvement and a combined fuel economy of 22 mpg4.
Fuel economy improvements are attributed to several key engineering advancements such as reduced powertrain friction, improved aerodynamics and the use of efficient Xtronic transmissions. Nissan also employs an engineering lightweight strategy to all new models to significantly reduce vehicle curb weight – a key factor to improving fleet fuel economy. Nissan reduced the weight of the 2013 Nissan Pathfinder by 500 pounds, the 2013 Nissan Sentra by 150 pounds and 80 pounds for the 2013 Nissan Altima.
Nissan expects continued improvements in future model years. Next year’s report will include the Rogue, which was completely redesigned for model year 2014 and achieves a capable combined average of 28 mpg – 3 mpg better than the model it replaced5. The trend will continue with future models like the all-new 2015 Murano and next-generation Maxima, as well as the upcoming all-new Titan full-size pickup truck. Murano features an ultra-low, sports-car-like .31 coefficient of drag, lower curb weight and efficiency improvements in its powertrain. Maxima and Titan will also feature improved efficiency without compromise to the customer.