Nissan and Gibson Combine Forces with NV200 Mobile Guitar Workshop

• Two Tennessee-based companies partner on co-branded Gibson/Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo
• Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van debuted at the 2013 New York International Auto Show
• The vehicle is meant to be used in major music markets, serving real-life musicians

Gibson and Nissan have combined their respective expertise in professional music and practical, small business vehicles to create the Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van. The van acts as a mobile guitar repair shop, serving the needs of both working musicians and casual pickers and can service major music markets or locales where guitar players congregate, such as major music festivals, concerts, recording studios or even private homes.

"The NV200 Compact Cargo's small footprint makes it ideal for maneuvering in tight places, which is perfect for both urban music venues and crowded outdoor concerts where space is at a premium," said Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. "The large cargo bay with standard integrated mounting points and available cargo hooks help make the vehicle configurable and customizable to suit the needs of a working guitar technician."

Class-leading combined fuel economy of 24 mpg*, provided by a 131-horsepower 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine matched with an efficient Xtronic CVT® transmission, further increases the road-worthy appeal of a vehicle that can log as many miles as the typical touring band.

"The Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo is perfect for small businesses, entrepreneurs and dreamers," said Joe Castelli, vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Fleet, Nissan North America. "By partnering with Gibson on the NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van, we're showing the ultimate expression of what can be done with this vehicle for those with a viable business concept, a little creativity and with a starting price of $19,990**, an appreciation of great value. As this is a van meant for trades, vocations and working people, we couldn't be more excited than to see it put to good use in the hands of some of the most skilled craftsmen in the world."

The Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van, built by Nissan, is an extension of both Gibson Pro Audio and Gibson's fabled Repair & Restoration shop, based in Nashville, Tenn. This facility is where the best and brightest guitar builders go to ply their craft for one of the oldest and most-respected guitar companies.

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As the Repair & Restoration shop fixes and customizes guitars owned by both the top professional musicians in the world and passionate enthusiasts, the Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration as a quick response support vehicle for professional and part-time musicians in need of timely repairs, as well as serving as an educational tool to the public representing the art of guitar building and repair, or luthiery.

NV200 Compact Cargo provides 122.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats and a 53-inch cargo height, which is comparable to many standard roof full-size vans. It also offers tall cargo door openings – including the standard 40/60-split rear doors – and a low load floor height of 19.5 inches. Payload capacity is rated at 1,500 pounds (S model).

This capability plays right into the heart of the vehicle - a pullout bench that features an array of luthier's tools such as calipers, scale rulers, fret files, fret pullers, different types of sandpaper, super glue, wood glue, tuning forks, a radius planer, various guitar parts (strings, tuning machines, frets, nuts, bridges, knobs, linseed oil, potentiometers, pickups), pliers, screw drivers and a soldering station. Luthiers can either extend this bench to the lip of the NV200 to work on instruments or guide in on its pair of casters to a separate location to perform repair or setup work on guitars.

Located directly behind the front seat is a custom rack that holds up to four guitars in various stages of repair and disrepair. The cockpit, which features special leather-appointed seats, has been customized to evoke Gibson's classic designs with wood veneers in the dashboard reminiscent of classic Gibson materials such as mahogany and flamed maple.

Gibson Pro Audio is also represented throughout the vehicle with a custom audio system provided by Onkyo, Gibson Pro Audio consumer electronics' brand.

The vehicle is sheathed in a full body wrap that reads, "Gibson Repair & Restoration" on one side, and "Gibson Pro Audio" on the other. The wrap also contains images of classic Gibson stringed instruments and Gibson Pro Audio products such as speakers made by Cerwin-Vega! and KRK and Onkyo- and Stanton-branded headphones.

Castelli explains, "Gibson and Nissan are both Tennessee-based companies that build products worthy of consumer passion yet suitable for everyday use. We've sought a way to combine forces for many years now, and the introduction of the 2013 NV200 Compact Cargo gives us the perfect opportunity to do so. Working with Gibson has been a dream come true for many of us here at Nissan, and we look forward to the next steps collaborating with them."

The Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration made by Nissan debuted on March 27th at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. Please visit www.NissanNews.com for artist renderings and a video on the construction of the vehicle.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, and 2012 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 248,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.9 million vehicles in 2012, generating revenue of 9.4 trillion yen ($US118.95 billion) in fiscal 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of 64 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero-emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades, including the prestigious 2011-2012 Car of the Year Japan and 2011 World Car of the Year awards.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.

About Gibson
Founded in 1894, Gibson is a global musical and lifestyle company based in Nashville, Tennessee, that creates products to enrich the lives of musicians, fans, and consumers, alike. Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including iconic acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins, and banjos. Run by technology visionary, Henry Juszkiewicz, the company has been at the forefront of innovation since its inception, the latest of which is the Firebird X guitar. Through the Gibson Foundation, Gibson has become equally known for its philanthropic efforts on behalf of music, education, health and human services. Gibson's family of brands encompass some of the most widely known and respected in the history of music and entertainment, including Epiphone, KRK, Stanton, Onkyo, Dobro, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Echoplex, Electar, Flatiron, Slingerland, Valley Arts, Maestro, Oberheim, Baldwin, Sunshine Piano, Take Anywhere Technology, J&C Fischer, Chickering, Hamilton, and Wurlitzer. For more information visit: www.gibson.com, www.facebook.com/gibsonguitar, www.twitter.com/gibsonguitar.

See related: VIDEO REPORT: Nissan, Gibson Collaboration Builds a One-of-a-Kind Mobile Repair Van

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* Ward's segmentation: Light Vehicle Small Van. '13 Nissan NV200 v. '12 and '13 competitors. EPA fuel economy estimate 24 MPG City. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.

** MSRP for 2013 Nissan NV200, excluding tax, title, license, options and $845 destination and handling. Dealer sets actual price.