Nissan seeks US gov't loans for electric cars (yes, you read that correctly)

[DainBramaged]

Nissan Motor Co has applied for U.S. government financing to help it make electric vehicles and develop the advanced batteries that power them, the company said on Monday.

Nissan, which announced plans earlier in the day to cut 20,000 jobs worldwide in response to declining sales blamed on recession, is the first Japanese automaker to seek taxpayer-funded loans from the Energy Department to facilitate its U.S. manufacturing plans.

Nissan did not disclose the amount of its loan request, which was submitted in December but disclosed publicly by the company on Monday.

Energy Department officials do not confirm or comment on specific applicants. But Nissan said it plans to upgrade its Smyrna, Tennessee, assembly plant, and build a new facility for battery production.

Nissan plans to bring an electric car to the United States by 2010. "We are committed to the vision of energy independence, environmental sustainability, and the new energy economy, and we are hopeful that the U.S. Department of Energy approves this loan request," the company said in a statement.

The loan program approved by Congress in September was established mainly to help struggling U.S. manufacturers make upgrades necessary for producing cars and trucks that can meet sharply higher fuel standards next decade.

General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC have asked for nearly $22 billion in financing combined. Honda Motor Co Ltd's and Toyota Motor Corp have not sought help, officials of both companies said.

Toyota currently is the global leader in gasoline-electric hybrid sales.

GM plans to roll out its plug-in electric/hybird Chevrolet Volt to consumers next year. Toyota, Ford and Chrysler all have electric car ambitions.

Energy Department loan eligibility requirements favor companies operating facilities older than 20 years, which gives U.S. manufacturers a clear edge in gaining retooling money as long as their proposals meet other requirements. New projects are also considered. Nissan's Tennessee plant began operations in 1983.

So far, the Energy Department has received 75 applications and Nissan is among 26 that have cleared initial hurdles, the company said.

http://www.autonews.com/article/20090210/COPY01/302109857/1186 (subscription only)

So they come to the United States, take UAW jobs, at less than prevailing rates, demand concessions to build here, ally themselves with people like Corker and Shelby, and now they want a loan from the US goverment? Why not Japan or France? What a fucking joke. Now we see the grand designs of those two scumbags. Who are GUARANTEED A JOB with one of the Japanese manufacturers when their Senate careers are done.

[Kalyke]

1. To bad...

Nissan sucks almost as hard as Toyota.

Give the grants/loans to the Big 3.

Oh - and as one of Corker's "constituents" (in quotes because he never really represents me), I can tell him to stick his anti-American support where the sun don't shine.

[KharmaTrain]

2. If That Money Goes To American Jobs...

This isn't for a bailout...but for money to build newer generation cars. I'd prefer that money to be given to small existing American companies that would spread out the jobs, but if this goes to creating new jobs in the U.S., right now that's money well spent. What's in a name anyway? Is buying a GM that's assembled in Mexico more "American" than a Nissan or Honda made in the U.S?

As far as UAW jobs...first lets get them and then pass card check and enable the workers in these factories to unionize.

[DainBramaged]

4. YThe profits don't go to AMERICA and the UAW is banned from Nissan, Toyota and Honda,

give me a break with your justifications. What's in a name??? AMERICAN JOBS fool. These companies will continue to take advantage of America and our stupidity while blocking any attempt to export our products to their countries. Japan and Korea do everything they can to block the importation of American cars, and prevent us from building plants there. THAT is the difference.

What's in a name, I am sure you don't own a Domestic.

[adadem]

5. Exactly n/t

[KharmaTrain]

24. Reading Comprehension Is Your Friend...

If you read what I wrote, I stated that I want to see card check become law thus the UAW can unionize those factories. I want American jobs...American UNION jobs. What part of that isn't clear. If the bosses for that job are in Detroit or Tokyo, I could care less as long as the jobs and a union wage are in effect.

I've also long been in favor of a tax imposed on ANY car, be it foreign or "domestic" that isn't manufactured here...like Chevys that are made in Mexico by non-union labor. Now is it better to drive that car? Sheesh. Make up the difference between the price of an American made (UNION) car and there's your tax. Now if the Koreans and Japanese want to play their protectionist games...we can as well.

The big thing here is passing card check...and the GOOP is fighting tooth and nail to prevent it, cause they know that those Nissan, Toyota and other plants in the "right to work" states will turn union overnight. That's why they're blocking Solis nomination as Sec. Of Labor.

Cheers...

[KharmaTrain]

25. Reading Comprehension Is Your Friend...

If you read what I wrote, I stated that I want to see card check become law thus the UAW can unionize those factories. I want American jobs...American UNION jobs. What part of that isn't clear. If the bosses for that job are in Detroit or Tokyo, I could care less as long as the jobs and a union wage are in effect.

I've also long been in favor of a tax imposed on ANY car, be it foreign or "domestic" that isn't manufactured here...like Chevys that are made in Mexico by non-union labor. Now is it better to drive that car? Sheesh. Make up the difference between the price of an American made (UNION) car and there's your tax. Now if the Koreans and Japanese want to play their protectionist games...we can as well.

The big thing here is passing card check...and the GOOP is fighting tooth and nail to prevent it, cause they know that those Nissan, Toyota and other plants in the "right to work" states will turn union overnight. That's why they're blocking Solis nomination as Sec. Of Labor.

Cheers...

[fasttense]

3. That should make Corker/Porker happy. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

6. So - do the US manufacturers have any solid plans for conversion to green technologies?

Or do they just want money to continue making huge gashogs?

GM did so well in getting RID of the previous electric cars -- "Who Killed the Electric Car" for a reference point.

[blue_onyx]

9. US manufacturer don't only build gashogs

The Chevy Malibu, for example, has a MPG of 22/33 compared to Honda Accord (21/30) and Toyota Camry (21/31). It's funny that foreign competitors have tried desperately to breaking into the "gashog" market, with vehicles like the Toyota Tundra, but they are never chastised for selling "gashogs."

[DainBramaged]

12. ANd Toyota and Nissan's Land Cruiser and Titan aren't gas hogs

:eyes: Some folks have blinders on that are welded in place.

[ConcernedCanuk]

15. Some folks have blinders on that are welded in place

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I agree

[Romulox]

20. The particular poster in question will refuse to read any link that does not confirm her worldview.

[Romulox]

19. How about you read a newspaper before spouting off for a change.

http://news.google.com/news?q=ford%20hybrid&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wn

http://www.google.com/search?q=chevy+volt&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

http://www.google.com/search?q=chrysler+electric&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

:eyes:

[Blue_Tires]

7. let them get a loan from the japanese gov't...

although i must admit i'm surprised by the 'electric car by 2010' line...Ghosn over the years has openly mocked the electric/hybrid offerings from his japanese rivals...

[ConcernedCanuk]

8. They remember Nagasaki and Hiroshima - USA is still paying back for that massacre . .

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And will be for generations to come

The Japanese will NOT be sympathetic about American job losses

Gee

figure that one out . . .

[DainBramaged]

13. Did we bomb ourselves at Pearl Harbor?

[Romulox]

16. They've forgotten Nanking, however. Strange. nt

[ConcernedCanuk]

17. China and Japan have both acknowledged the occurrence of wartime atrocities

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Will the USA ever admit the same?

I doubt it


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanking_Massacre

[Romulox]

21. If you beleive that Japan has "acknowledged" its atrocities to its victims' satisfaction,

then it's difficult to discuss this matter with you. :hi:

[ConcernedCanuk]

22. Do most USAmericans twist things ??? - I said nothing about "to its victims' satisfaction"

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And you didn't respond to the atrocities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the USA

Hiroshima and Nagasaki were NOT military targets, and actually "saved" by the USA as targets for their nuclear bombs

Do some research

[Romulox]

23. Are most CanuckCanadians WWII atrocity deniers?

"I said nothing about 'to its victims' satisfaction'"

That's the only metric that matters. But I'm sure it's a comfort to the Chinese people that a Canadian has forgiven the Japanese government for it's WWII genocide.

[ConcernedCanuk]

26. No

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[IDemo]

10. I believe the electrification of transport is critical to our future

both with regards to energy and climate change. That said, I also believe any US funding, whether via bailout or loans,
needs to go strictly to US companies and jobs. That goes not just to the Big Three, but to companies such as Tesla
and A123 Systems, and to university research into related areas.

[blue_onyx]

11. I agree...

I believe A123 Systems applied for government funding to help them build factories to produce batteries for hybrids. One of the factories will be here in MI and I hope they get the money.

[NNN0LHI]

14. If they agree to negotiate in good faith a contract with UAW organized employees yes

If they refuse fuck them and the horse they rode in on.

Thats the way it has to work.

Don

[anonymous171]

18. Protectionism is bad, heretic. ALL HAIL THE FREE MARKET AND ALL ITS GLORY!

BOW TO THE INVISIBLE HAND!