Automotive News - May 19, 2008 - (Page N16L)

N16L • MAY 19, 2008 NISSAN’S 50 Years in America A little-known powertrain engineer cements Nissan’s reputation for superb engines n 1990, Yoshiyuki Kimura landed a plum assignment. Nissan named him chief engineer, at age 49, for the original VQ series of V-6 engines. Today, 7 million engines later, the lightweight, free-revving powerplant is the company’s award-winning workhorse. It cemented Nissan’s reputation for top-notch engineering, particularly for engines. The VQ engine was not Nissan’s first V-6. Before the VQ there was the VG, a V-6 that had a cast-iron block and aluminum heads, one overhead cam per head and two valves per cylinder. It was reliable but not technically advanced. Nissan also had established a great reputation for building smooth-running inline-sixes. The much-praised 1970 240Z was powered by an inline-six. Some factions inside YOSHIYUKI KIMURA Nissan wanted to keep Earliest Nissan building the inline-six, involvement: 1960 Kimura recalled, speaking through an interpreter. Role: Chief engineer, VQ “The inline-six had series of engines persistent popularity Key influence: Designed internally and externally,” Nissan’s stellar engine, which is widely Kimura said. “The transverse integration used on U.S. cars into a front-wheel-drive car was thought to be difficult.” So, Kimura said, Nissan built a high-tech V-6 to win over consumers who were fans of the inline engine. I At first, the assignment was stressful because he worked two jobs. Kimura also was in charge of the engineering of engine blocks, cylinder heads and other components for several other Nissan engines. “I was quite surprised when I was nominated because I was a bit worried whether I could hold two posts,” Kimura said. “But this concurrent work lasted only one year: 1990.” On the other hand, Kimura realized he would be creating the engine architecture for Nissan’s future. The VQ featured an aluminum block, a double-overhead cam and 24 valves. Over the years, certain versions have been fitted with turbochargers, direct fuel injection, variable valve timing and other innovations. Kimura said Nissan started clean with the VQ and did not borrow ideas from competitors’ engines. It debuted in 1994. “At the last stage of development, we investigated Toyota’s 1MZ and also Ford’s Duratec V-6. However, during the design of the VQ, we did not have any consciousness of other competitors’ engines.” Today, Kimura is retired but works a few days a week in Nissan’s engine museum in Yokohama, Japan. Looking back, Kimura says he would do nothing differently. “I don’t think there was any better way we could have done this.” — Richard Truett http://www.bosch.us http://www.bosch.us

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Automotive News - May 19, 2008 Ford eyes smaller F-150 cousin Sonic: Mercedes tries to 'extort' store upgrades Chrysler seeks 25% slash in parts prices Dealership managers pushed Chrysler's latest incentive Crain names 4 new VPs Automotive News staffers win Wheel Awards GM will keep cutting sales to fleets GM studies the future of full-sized trucks American Axle plans to expand in Asia At Lexus, the sales laggards are cars VW positions Tiguan as 'GTI' of small SUVs Tata enters race for 100-mpg car Harley Earl was the daddy of auto design Focus will follow Fiesta as a global vehicle Lexus shows how it sweats details Industry slows tide of state CO2 rules Chevy tweaks Cobalt to add fuel economy Be careful; don't do anything dumb Looking ahead to different industry They thought they knew everything Cerberus doesn't belong in autos Dealers as scapegoats Smart, steady growth works best for suppliers Farley's smart to value Ford's heritage Absurd logic in the U.S., cowardice in Germany BMW, Daimler keep a wary eye on U.S. economy James Franey Dealers' approach can lessen pain of staff cuts GM plans to distinguish Opel with image makeover Make or buy? Software can estimate costs for company Honda, Toyota see robots in their futures Bosch aims to lead in hybrids technology King of hearts Clarke aims to get GM back on track in N.A. Fields navigates Ford through 'white water' LaSorda steers Chrysler's global ventures Toyota's Lentz: A crash course in hard times Truck sales fall 13% in April Modine sells Thermacore unit Alcoa to close Mexico plant Toyoda Gosei expands in Mexico Hayes Lemmerz plans to close Georgia factory Japan's sales slide 2% in 1st quarter; output climbs Dealers Hyundai let U.S. direct Sonata freshening After .com and .edu, is it time for .car? Panoramic sunroof of Lincoln MKS boosts Inalfa sales Chrysler hedged gas price bet Smart phones help dealerships retain customers CAW completes pacts with GM, Chrysler early GM, UAW resolve 2 disputes New media buyer for Chrysler Visteon names Stebbins CEO Convertible registrations drop Ferrari: From denial to debut Buildings Porsches in U.S.? Depends whom you ask Toyota will go slow in Tupelo Ghosn is glum on prices, U.S. sales prospects Pischetsrieder has earned a celebratory cigar NHTSA spins VINs, averts meltdown F_RD GU_S WI_ BUI-_KS 50 PEOPLE FOR 50 YEARS Yutaka Katayama Clarence Talley Jim Morton Pete Brock Marvin Runyon Yoshikazu Hanawa Bill Bruce Shin Maki Jack Collins Mitsuya "Scape" Goto Bob Link Soichi Kawazoe Jerry Hirshberg Takashi Ishihara Roy Rogers John Parker Bob Thomas Teruo Uchino Morrie Sage Bob Thomas Nobe Wakatsuki Earl Hesterberg Carlos Ghosn Lee Clow Jerry Benefield Yutaka Kume Doug Betts Tim McCarthy Jed Connelly Atsushi Nakatsuji Dave Hubbard Joe Opre Patrick Pelata Yoshiyuki Kimura Diane Allen Mad Mike Taylor Chuck King Larry Dominique Mark Igo Mitsuhiko Yamashita Shiro Nakamura Tom Mignanelli Dick Roberts William Cushing Emil Hassan Chester Luby Jane Nakagawa Louis Schweitzer MR. K Ray Lemke Richard McCutcheon

Automotive News - May 19, 2008

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