Nissan Unveils ‘Nissan CMF’ Next-generation Vehicle Engineering- 4+1 Big Module Concept -

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the introduction of its next-generation vehicle engineering concept, named Nissan Common Module Family (CMF). Nissan vehicles developed under the CMF strategy are slated to enter the marketplace from 2013.

In vehicle development, cost reductions are fundamental to maintaining product competitiveness amid the increasing calls for environmental and safety improvements that often increase costs. In response to the corresponding challenges, Nissan created CMF, which combines modular engineering with Nissan's own engineering technologies, in areas such as simulation and variation engineering (a way to enhance commonization) and the pursuit of simplicity. Through the introduction of CMF, Nissan expects to dramatically raise the appeal of its products and thereby significantly expand sales volume.

Nissan has long been promoting vehicle platform commonization, with several vehicle variations derived from a single platform. This has become critical to achieving the rapid improvements in products demanded by today's competitive global marketplace. Each new vehicle that is developed requires distinctive characteristics, improved fuel economy, passenger safety and IT features, and the rapid application of the latest technologies into the development process. At the same time, volume efficiencies need to be achieved through the extensive use of common vehicle structures, components and parts. Up to now, these contrasting elements have been difficult to balance. To contend with these challenges, Nissan is implementing its next-generation "Nissan CMF" vehicle engineering strategy.

The application of Nissan CMF entails the use of four modules - engine compartment, cockpit, front underbody and rear underbody - as well as the architecture for electronic components, with each module having appropriate variations. Vehicles are designed by combining these modules in different ways. Depending on the module configuration, a variety of vehicles - compacts, large-sized vehicles through to tall SUVs - can be efficiently designed.

Nissan has committed to introducing 90 new technologies by 2016. The launch of Nissan CMF will enable commonization that transcends vehicle segments, lower costs, and facilitate the simultaneous application of attractive new technologies across several models that up to now had been clustered in higher-end segments. Nissan CMF will bring new technologies to a wider range of Nissan owners around the world faster than ever before.

Nissan will introduce 51 new models over the course of its mid-term business plan, Nissan Power 88, to offer more attractive and competitive products to potential customers all over the world.