Nissan opens new Engineering Center in Japan

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd today opened its new Engineering Centre, located within the Nissan Technical Centre (NTC) campus in Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture. Construction started in October 2004 and was completed in September.The new Engineering Centre will focus on the development of environmentally focused technologies in line with the company’s Nissan Green Program 2010, its mid-term environmental action plan. Nissan has pledged its commitment to offer advanced technology and products to help make real-world reductions in CO2 emissions, contribute to cleaner overall emissions and increase the recycling of resources. The modern and spacious Engineering Centre was designed to facilitate a culture of “knowledge creation” which promotes communication and close collaboration between visiting engineers and parts suppliers. A walkway bridge connects the Engineering Centre to the Product Planning and Design Centre for easy access. The Engineering Centre employs an environmentally-friendly turbo freezer that uses water as coolant for the air conditioning system, a first in Japan. With the all-new turbo-freezer system, Nissan will collect data to support further improvements to the system for wider industrial-scale applications. Other “eco-technologies” incorporated into the design of the Engineering Centre include use of crystal liquid ice thermal storage and heat recovery system (CLIS-HR), eco-glass, and a rain-water and waste-water heat recycling system to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Nissan has invested 90 billion yen ($783million) to boost and strengthen its R&D facilities. The Engineering Centre is yet another significant long-term investment by Nissan. Other recent investments include NATC (Nissan Advanced Technical Centre) completed in May, the new Design Centre in September, and the on-going refurbishment of the Powertrain Engineering Centre at NTC. In 2009, Nissan will move its headquarters to Yokohama City to further consolidate its presence in the Kanagawa Prefecture, whilst it continues to contribute to the local community and economic development. At present, Nissan’s facilities include the Yokohama engine plant in Yokohama City, Oppama Plant (vehicle production plant) in Yokosuka City, Grandrive Proving Ground in Oppama, NTC and NATC in Atsugi.