– Nissan Motor Co., which wants to increase U.S. sales by 40 percent, to 3.6 million vehicles, by the final quarter of 2005, will introduce three new light trucks–Titan, Armada and Quest–this year. The Tokyo-based carmaker generates 80 percent of its operating profit in the U.S. “For us, a little different from the rest of the industry, it’s going to be the year of the truck,” according to Nissan Chief Executive Officer Carlos Ghosn in an interview with Bloomberg News. “Most of the introductions to take place now and in 2004 are going to be in trucks.”
– U.S. Rep. John Dingell says he would like to see a greater emphasis on diesel-powered vehicles. Dingell (D-Mich.) says diesel engines can provide better gas mileage and cleaner air at little extra cost to the consumer. They also are available now, he says, and widely successful in Europe. “You can do it quicker than some of these exotic mechanisms they’re talking about,” Dingell says.
– Florida drivers 80 and older must take a vision test when they renew their driver’s licenses under a law that took effect Jan. 1. Florida’s more than 500,000 elderly drivers, previously able to renew by mail every six years, will be required to take the test in person or have a form signed by their eye doctor saying they’ve passed. More than 20 states have special requirements for older drivers. New Hampshire and Illinois require road tests for those 75 and older, and in Nevada drivers 70 and older who renew licenses by mail must include a medical report.
