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Renault-Nissan Alliance Partners with the Wellington City Council (New Zealand) for electric vehicles

The two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) under which a working team of representatives from the City Council and Nissan will identify potential areas of co-operation in promoting the use of zero emission electric vehicles in the city.

The memorandum was signed in Japan following Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast’s test drive of the Nissan LEAF electric car accompanied by Nissan Motor Company’s Corporate Vice President, Zero Emissions Business Unit Mr.Hideaki Watanabe.

"Today, Nissan is proud to partner with the Wellington City Council through the signing of this MOU," said John Manley, Nissan New Zealand Managing Director. "Technology for zero emissions mobility is a reality and we are prepared to proactively explore ways to bring this technology to New Zealand with collaboration from the Wellington administration. "

"Our company is leading the world in the design and production of a lithium ion batteries powered family-sized electric car and we aim to have this electric vehicle in Wellington by mid 2011 via the proposed Pilot Program. Today’s announcement of the signing of a strategic MOU with the City of Wellington brings that reality closer," Manley continued.

"The Nissan organization recognizes the importance of sustainability by limiting CO2 emissions and we are ready and able to partner public authorities in pursuing that role.

"The City of Wellington is looking at the benefits of introducing and expanding electric vehicle technology," said Kerry Prendergast, Mayor of Wellington.

"This MOU formalizes discussions with the Nissan Motor Company which is among the global leaders in the development of electric cars and demonstrates our commitment to supporting electric vehicle technologies."

The Alliance has formed partnerships with more than 60 governments, cities and other organizations around the world, including Japan, U.S.A., Europe, Asia and Australia, to advance the deployment of Electric Vehicles worldwide.

The Renault Nissan Alliance, founded in 1999, sold 6,085,058 vehicles in 2009. The objective of the Alliance is to rank among the world’s top three vehicle manufacturers in terms of quality, technology and profitability.

www.nissan-zeroemission.com