Nissan announced an additional new service for its popular Carwings navigation system.  In line with the objectives of the Nissan Green Program 2010 to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions, they will be introducing a new service dubbed “Eco-Drive and You” (Anata mo eco-drive)1 to promote “eco-driving” habits in Japan.

Since January 20072, Nissan Carwings members have been provided with a range of services which have included fuel-efficiency rankings for same model owners and advice on efficient driving methods.  The service has now been expanded to provide the same helpful content found online into the onboard navigation system of car owners. 

To add to driver convenience, the service will also offer voice audio guidance aside from the call-up display found in the dashboard.  Car owners can now monitor their fuel consumption habits, experience better fuel economy as well as enjoy helpful driving tips while on the road.
The service has three main components:

1. Eco-drive check (audio and video display)

          o Average fuel consumption with the service3
          o Fuel consumption trend
          o Consumption history and comparison4

2. Eco-drive ranking (audio and video display)         

          o Average fuel consumption history
          o Ranking among Carwings members with same models5
          o Fuel expense savings yearly display6

3. Driving Advice (audio guidance)

          * Various topics for the driver which also include tips on better fuel efficiency

With its aim to reduce harmful greenhouse emissions, Nissan will continue to introduce more eco-friendly products and services under its Nissan Green Program 2010.   Current programs include the ITS Project7, a joint effort with the Kanagawa prefectural government to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce accidents through wireless cellular communication and probe signals, being piloted at Nissan’s Technical Centre in Atsugi.

1.Service starts February 1st for Nissan vehicles equipped with the HDD Carwings navigation system and March 5th for the DVD system version.

2.The service has garnered numerous awards in 2007 for its Eco-Friendly and Energy Saving features from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transportation, Ministry of Economy, Trade and the Energy Conservation Centre in Japan.

3.Average fuel consumption calculated from data gathered from every eco-drive check performed and transmitted between the car owners’ mobile phone and the central system.

4.Previous two records are displayed to track fuel consumption trend.

5.Drivers are ranked according to their model group and are given gold, silver and bronze status with the upper 10% classified as platinum class.

6.Average consumption based on accumulated CARWINGS members’ consumption data and referenced with data from the Oil Information Centre, Institute of Energy Economics in Japan, updated once a month.

7.Test launched 2006 in Kanagawa Prefecture.