- 401-Dixie Nissan Ltd. in Mississauga, ON is first dealer in Canada to deliver the all-new Altima Hybrid to customer -

MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 27 /CNW/ - The all-new 2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid, which went on sale this month, has its first buyer. Michael and Kate Lockwood from Brampton are the first official customers in Canada to own Nissan's premier entry into the hybrid gas-electric vehicle segment. The Altima Hybrid blends fuel efficiency with Altima's performance, quality and style and is part of Nissan's ongoing efforts in the area of environmental protection and vehicle efficiency. The Lockwoods picked-up their new Hybrid car from 401-Dixie Nissan earlier this month. "I have been waiting for Nissan to bring out a hybrid due to my commitment to environmental quality and resource conservation," said Michael Lockwood. "Every individual and organization must make efforts to improve long term environmental sustainability. I applaud Nissan for being a good corporate citizen." The Altima Hybrid offers all the style, convenience, comfort, quality feel and performance technology features and highlights of the next-generation 2007 Altima - while offering the added benefits of improved fuel economy and reduced emissions. "The Altima Hybrid is another example of Nissan's ongoing philosophy that passion for driving and passion for the environment are not mutually exclusive," said Ian Forsyth, Director, Product and Corporate Planning, Nissan Canada Inc. "Whether it involves our wide application of efficient Continually Variable Transmissions (CVT) or our ongoing research and development of fuel cell vehicles, Nissan believes that the more transparent "green technology" is, the more drivers will embrace it." The vehicle blends an advanced electric motor/generator, Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) battery and hybrid management system with Nissan's powerful 2.5-litre 4-cylinder QR25DE engine. The mating of the two produces a hybrid system net power of 198 horsepower (148 kW) and results in low emissions and enhanced fuel economy of 5.6 L / 100 km City / 5.9 L / 100 km Highway (estimated) - without compromising Altima's responsive acceleration and performance. Like all 2007 Altima models, the Altima Hybrid is built on the all-new Nissan "D" platform, which is designed to help make Altima one of the best performing large front-wheel drive sedans in the world. The Altima Hybrid also offers all-new distinctive styling and a roomy, comfortable, full-feature, high-quality interior. The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price for the 2007 Altima Hybrid starts at $32,998.

About Nissan Canada Inc. Nissan Canada Inc. (NCI) is the Canadian sales, marketing and distribution subsidiary of Nissan Motor Limited and Nissan North America, Inc. With offices in Vancouver (BC), Mississauga (ON), and Kirkland (QC), NCI directly employs 290 staff. There are 146 independent Nissan dealerships and 29 Infiniti retailers across Canada. More information about Nissan in Canada and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.Nissan.ca and www.infiniti.ca.

/NOTE TO PHOTO EDITORS: A photo accompanying this release is available on the CNW Photo Network and archived at http://photos.newswire.ca. Additional archived images are also available on the CNW Photo Archive website at http://photos.newswire.ca. Images are free to accredited members of the media/

For further information: News Media Contacts: John Lindo, Manager, Product & Corporate Communications, NCI, (905) 629-6461 or john.lindo@nissancanada.com Or Alexandra Cygal, Cohn & Wolfe at (416) 324-2069 ext. 4076 or alexandra_cygal@ca.cohnwolfe.com

Source: [url=http://www.cnw.ca/fr/releases/archive/March2007/27/c7260.html]CNW Telbec (Communiqu?©s de presse)[/url]