- The Nissan Altima Hybrid is being dropped in the U.S. for model year 2012.
- The Altima Hybrid was introduced in early 2007 with technology licensed from Toyota.
- The Altima Hybrid is only sold in nine states.
FRANKLIN, Tenn. — The Nissan Altima Hybrid, which was introduced in early 2007 with technology licensed from Toyota, is being dropped in the U.S. for model year 2012.
The Altima Hybrid never was intended as anything more than a stopgap product for Nissan. Chairman Carlos Ghosn told a number of audiences over the years that he wasn't convinced that hybrids made much economic sense for Nissan — and the company's halfhearted attempt to sell the Altima Hybrid in only nine states underscored the corporate ambivalence.
However, even as the Japanese automaker spent billions to hustle its pure-electric Leaf to market, it also has been hedging that huge bet by developing its own hybrid technology, as showcased in such recent cars as the 2012 Infiniti M35 Hybrid.
The 2011 Altima Hybrid is priced at $27,560, including a $760 shipping charge. It is sold only in California and other states with similarly stringent exhaust-emissions regulations, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Vermont.
The midsize sedan, which competes with the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid, received a facelift for model year 2010, but no substantive changes.
The Altima Hybrid is powered by Nissan's 2.5-liter inline-4 engine coupled with an electric motor, a two-speed continuously variable transmission and a nickel-metal-hydride battery pack. Net output is 198 horsepower. The EPA rates the 2011 model at 33 miles mpg in city driving and 33 on the highway.
Inside Line says: Look for some newer-generation, homegrown hybrids to start appearing shortly in Nissan's U.S. lineup.
Add A Comment »
fbt271 says:
10:35 PM, 07/18/2011
I live in Texas and I see these things all the way in the Southern most tip of Texas (Rio Grande Valley) all the way to the Dallas/FortWorth area, but they don't sell them here?
mardani977 says:
08:22 AM, 06/16/2011
When I lived in markets just outside of the select states the Altima hybrid was available in, I always saw alot of them, it is ashame they never did a nationwide rollout. I can understand though, with buying the tech from Toyota it was harder for them to control the costs. Now that they have their own hybrid technology maybe they will reconsider that stance for the 2013 model year or when ever the next gen altima comes out. I would say stick with the 2.5 for the Altima hybrid and do the 3.5vq v6 in a hybrid G making it the top of the range, and adding it to the FX as a midrange model if the upcoming JX is not hybrid only.
dgmail says:
03:06 AM, 06/16/2011
Its just as ugly as a regular nissan.
se_riously says:
04:15 PM, 06/15/2011
Not so surprising, given that the $2,350 federal tax rebate program ended at the end of 2010 (after the 2011 model had already rolled out). That is a huge amount for Nissan to absorb just to move a vehicle off the lot.
afty says:
12:28 PM, 06/15/2011
I'm surprised. Here in Boston, I see Altima Hybrids all the time.